
Master the art of making traditional South Indian masala dosa with this fermented rice and lentil batter. These thin, golden-brown crepes are incredibly crispy, naturally gluten-free, and perfect for a healthy breakfast or dinner.
Place the white rice in a large bowl and cover with 500ml of water. In a separate bowl, combine the split urad dal and fenugreek seeds, then cover with 400ml of water. Cover both bowls and allow them to soak overnight.
The next morning, drain the rice and place it in a food processor. Blitz for about 1 minute until a thick paste forms, adding a small amount of the soaking water if necessary to achieve a smooth, glue-like consistency. Transfer the rice paste to a large mixing bowl.
Repeat the grinding process with the soaked urad dal and fenugreek seeds until the mixture is smooth and fluffy. Pour the dal mixture into the bowl with the rice paste and stir thoroughly to combine.
Cover the bowl and leave it in a warm, draft-free area of your kitchen to ferment for 24 hours. You will know it is ready when the batter has risen, developed a slightly sour aroma, and shows small bubbles on the surface. Once fermented, store in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook.
Before cooking, check the consistency of the batter. It should be thin and pourable, similar to a crepe batter; stir in a little extra water if it feels too thick.
Heat a large non-stick frying pan or tawa over medium heat. Lightly grease the surface with a few drops of oil and wipe it clean with a piece of kitchen paper. Pour a ladleful of batter into the center of the pan.
Using the back of the ladle, spread the batter in a continuous spiral motion from the center outward to create a large, thin disc. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of oil around the edges of the dosa.
Increase the heat slightly and cook until the dosa turns golden brown and releases easily from the pan. Fold the dosa in half and remove. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, wiping the pan with a damp cloth between each dosa to manage the heat.
For successful fermentation in cold weather, place the batter bowl inside an unheated oven with the light turned on. To ensure the dosas don't stick, always use a high-quality non-stick pan or a well-seasoned cast-iron tawa. Serve these hot with coconut chutney and a spicy potato filling for a complete meal.




