Ingredients

  • Dosa
  • 2 cups parboiled rice
  • 1 cup uncooked rice
  • 1 cup split Urad Dal (split black gram)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
  • salt
  • oil (for frying)
  • ghee or clarified butter (while setting up the final product -- the masala dosa)
  • Potato curry
  • 3 tablespoons oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon gram dal
  • 1 teaspoon black gram dal
  • 2 medium onions, finely chopped
  • 4 green chilies, finely chopped
  • 1 inch ginger, finely chopped
  • 2 sprigs curry leaves, finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 1/8 lbs potatoes, boiled,peeled,chopped
  • salt
  • coriander leaves, finely chopped (use about one handful)
  • 1 lemon, juice of (optional)
  • Chutney
  • 2 teaspoons oil
  • 1 pinch asafoetida powder
  • 3 dried red chilies
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons split Urad Dal (split black gram)
  • 1/2 coconut, grated
  • salt
  • tamarind pulp (use a lemon-sized ball)

Method

  • For the dosa: Soak the parboiled and uncooked rice together in water.
  • Separately, soak the dal and fenugreek seeds together in water.
  • After 3-4 hours, drain and reserve the water and grind both separately in a blender to a fine paste, adding some the reserved water as needed (if the grinder/blender seizes up) until the mixture is of batter consistency.
  • Add the salt, some water if necessary, and mix both together thoroughly; keep overnight to ferment.
  • The next day, check the batter; if too thick, add some water and mix so that it is of a pouring consistency.
  • Heat a skillet and grease with some oil.
  • Pour a ladleful of batter and spread as quickly as possible into a thin circle.
  • Pour a little oil (about 1/2 teaspoon) all around the crepe and on the centre as well.
  • Cook until the dosa is done, then turn over and cook the other side until crisp.
  • Set the dosas aside.
  • Note: If parboiled rice is not available, soak 2 1/4 cups of uncooked rice.
  • For the potato curry: Heat the 3 tablespoons of oil.
  • Season with the mustard and gram dals.
  • When done, add the chopped onions, green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, chili powder, and turmeric powder.
  • When the onions are browned, add the potatoes and salt, and mix thoroughly.
  • Add the coriander leaves and lemon juice, if desired, and mix well.
  • For the chutney: Heat the oil, add the asafoetida, red chilies, and then the dal.
  • Fry until the dal turns brownish.
  • Remove from flame.
  • Grind this mixture with the grated coconut, salt and tamarind to a slightly rough paste.
  • Add a little water to make the chutney of a spreadable consistency.
  • To make the masala dosas (the final product!): When required, reverse the prepared dosa and place on a skillet.
  • Spread approximately 1 tablespoon of chutney evenly all over the dosa.
  • Carefully place 2 tablespoons of potato curry in the centre, fold the the left a third over the centre, and then the right side over the left (or, just fold it any way you like!).
  • Sprinkle a little ghee or butter.
  • Roast for a minute or two.
  • Remove from flame and serve immediately.
  • Alternatively, stuff the dosa with the potato curry only, and serve the chutney as a dip.