New Delhi: There’s something incredibly wholesome about enjoying South Indian food. One of the most popular dishes—loved by nearly everyone—hails from South India. Yes, we’re talking about those crispy, mouth-watering dosas!
These delicious dosas are made from a batter of fermented lentils and rice. Dosas come in many varieties, including Rava dosa, set dosa, benne dosa, and neer dosa, but one of the most famous of them all is the Paper Dosa.
Paper dosas are thin, crispy versions of the traditional South Indian dosa. Achieving the perfect paper dosa requires skill and precision. The batter must be spread ultra-thin to achieve its signature texture. Paper dosas are typically served with coconut chutney, tomato chutney, and sambar.
Let’s dive into this simple yet delicious paper dosa recipe and bring a taste of South India to your kitchen!
Paper Dosa Recipe
Here’s how you can make crispy, ultra-thin paper dosas at home in just a few easy steps!
Ingredients for Paper Dosa
Before you start cooking, gather these ingredients in the right quantities:
- 1.5 cups regular rice (325 grams)
- ½ cup urad dal (125 grams)
- ¼ cup thick poha (flattened rice) (20 grams)
- 1 tablespoon chana dal (husked and split Bengal gram)
- ¼ teaspoon methi seeds (fenugreek seeds)
- 1 cup water for soaking rice
- 1 cup water for soaking urad dal
- ¼ cup water for grinding urad dal
- ½ cup water for grinding rice
- 3 tablespoons fine rava (sooji or cream of wheat)
- 1 teaspoon rock salt (or sea salt/regular salt, as required)
How to Make Paper Dosa
Follow these steps carefully to get the crispiest, golden paper dosas!
Step 1: Soaking the Lentils and Rice
- Rinse 1.5 cups of regular rice a couple of times, then soak it in 1 cup of water.
- In a separate bowl, take ½ cup urad dal, 1 tablespoon chana dal, and ¼ teaspoon methi seeds. Rinse them a couple of times and soak them in 1 cup of water for 4 to 5 hours.
- In a small bowl, take ¼ cup thick poha and rinse it once or twice. Then, add the rinsed poha to the rice bowl and mix.
- Cover and let everything soak for 4 to 5 hours.
Step 2: Making the Paper Dosa Batter
- After soaking, add the lentils along with their soaking water to a blender. Add ¼ cup of fresh water and grind until the mixture is light and fluffy. The urad dal must be ground well for proper fermentation.
- Transfer the batter to a large bowl.
- Drain the soaked rice completely, then add it to the blender with ½ cup of fresh water. Grind to a slightly grainy consistency, similar to idli rava.
- Pour the rice and poha batter into the same bowl as the urad dal batter.
- Add 3 tablespoons of rava and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well until fully combined.
- Cover the bowl and let the batter ferment for 8 to 9 hours (fermentation time may vary based on the temperature in your area).
Step 3: Making the Paper Dosa
- Before cooking, gently stir the batter. You should notice tiny air pockets, indicating proper fermentation.
- Heat a thick-bottomed cast iron griddle or a non-stick pan over medium heat.
- If using an iron pan, spread ¼ to ½ teaspoon of oil/ghee across the surface using a silicon brush, spoon, kitchen towel, or an onion half. Avoid adding oil/ghee to a non-stick pan.
- Keep the flame low to medium while making dosas. If the pan is too hot, you won’t be able to spread the batter properly.
- Pour a ladleful of batter into the centre of the pan. Using the ladle, gently spread the batter in circular motions to create a thin, even layer.
- Cook on low to medium heat until the top begins to set.
- Drizzle and spread some oil over the dosa. Adjust the amount as per your preference.
- Continue cooking until the base turns golden and crisp. The crispier the base, the crunchier your dosa will be!
- Using a spatula, gently fold the dosa and remove it from the pan.
Your crispy, golden Paper Dosa is ready! Serve it hot with coconut chutney and sambar. Leftover batter can be refrigerated for up to 2 to 3 days.
Love South Indian food? Learn how to make crispy, golden Paper Dosa at home with this easy step-by-step recipe. Achieve restaurant-style thinness and crunch effortlessly! Food & Drink Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
