Delicious Red Lentil Dosas Recipe – Get Cooking Now!
As an Israeli chef who loves experimenting with global cuisine, I am always on the lookout for unique and flavorful recipes. And that’s why I’m excited to share with you my recipe for Red Lentil Dosas! This South Indian delicacy is a savory pancake made with lentils and rice batter, stuffed with a variety of flavorful fillings. Whether you’re a vegan, vegetarian or meat-lover, this dish will surely please your palate.
I first came across the lentil dosa on a trip to India and fell in love with it. But as I experimented with the recipe over time, incorporating different spices and grains, I found myself elevating this traditional dish to the next level altogether. With ingredients like red lentils, long-grain rice, fresh coriander, ground turmeric, and more, this dish is packed with nutrients and flavor.
My Red Lentil Dosas are perfect for anyone looking for a healthy yet tasty meal which can be served for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The best part is that they are straightforward to prepare and can be customized based on individual preferences. So whether you have guests over or are just looking to whip up something special for yourself or your family, this recipe has got you covered.
Read on to discover how easy it is to create these delicious Lentil Dosas right at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you looking for a new and exciting way to enjoy breakfast? Look no further than this delicious Red Lentil Dosas recipe! This dish is a traditional South Indian breakfast and offers an incredible mix of flavors and textures that are sure to leave you satisfied.
One reason you’ll love this recipe is its versatility. Dosas, in general, can be filled with a variety of different toppings like vegetables, cheese, and meats. However, the Red Lentil Dosas recipe offers a vegetarian option that is equally as tasty. So whether you’re a meat-eater or vegetarian, this dish is perfect for any palate!
Red Lentil Dosas are also incredibly easy to make. With only a few basic ingredients like red lentils, long-grain rice, and warm water – you can easily whip up a batch in just over an hour! And if that’s not enough to convince you, this recipe includes helpful tips and recommendations to ensure perfect results every time.
But what truly sets these dosas apart is their nutritional value. Red lentils are packed with fiber, protein, iron, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Combined with long-grain rice, these dosas offer all the nutrients necessary to kick start your day on the right foot.
Overall, the Red Lentil Dosas recipe offers an unforgettable combination of taste, ease of preparation, and unmatched nutritional benefits. Once you try this dish, it will surely become a breakfast staple in your home!
Ingredient List
Before starting to make red lentil dosas, ensure that you have all the necessary ingredients. This recipe requires a mix of red lentils and long grain rice, among other items. To further enhance the flavorings of this recipe, you will also need fresh coriander, salt, ground black pepper, and ground turmeric. Additionally, some essential but commonly found ingredients include water, oil, and ginger. Below is the complete list of ingredients you need to create perfect red lentil dosas.
List of ingredients
- 1 cup of red lentils
- 1 cup of long-grain rice (Basmati or jasmine)
- ½ tsp of fenugreek seeds
- 2 tsp of urad dal split
- ¼ cup of chana dal split
- ¼ cup of masoor dal (red lentils)
- 2 cups of fresh water
- Salt, as needed
- 1 tbsp of grated ginger
- 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- Fresh coriander leaves, chopped, for garnish (optional)
The Recipe How-To
Preparing the Lentil Dosas Batter
To prepare the batter for Red Lentil Dosas, first, we’ll have to mix lentils and rice. For this dish, we’re using red lentils and long grain rice. We soak them overnight (you can also soak them for at least 6 hours) in fresh water.
Next, we drain the water and grind the soaked lentils and rice mixture into a fine paste. If you have a good-quality blender, grinding the batter won’t be an issue. You’ll get a smooth, creamy batter consistency.
Add warm water to this paste to achieve smooth pouring consistency. Afterward, add some salt as per taste.
Then, keep the mixture aside in a warm place to ferment for approximately 8 hours or as long as needed until it rises and doubles in size.
Making the Dosa
- Preheat a non-stick dosa pan.
- Ladle in some of the lentil dosa batter mixture onto the pan and spread it evenly.
- Drizzle oil on its edges and top.
- Once cooked, turn it over to cook on either side till the edges are crispy.
- Take it off from heat.
Now your Red Lentil Dosas is ready to serve! You can make as many as you want as per your requirement.
Substitutions and Variations
Variety is the spice of life and this recipe is no exception! With a few simple substitutions and variations, you can create endless delicious meal options. Here are some ideas to switch things up:
– Mixed Lentils Dosa: Instead of using only red lentils or long grain rice, try mixing up to 4 cups of different types of lentils such as moong dal, urad dal, masoor dal or chana dal. This will create a unique flavour while still maintaining the health benefits of lentils.
– Quinoa Dosa: If you’re looking for a gluten-free option or want to add extra protein to your diet, have a go at substituting long grain rice with quinoa. Simply soak 1 cup quinoa overnight in warm water, drain and rinse before blending with red lentils.
– Instant Dosa: Short on time? You can still enjoy delicious dosas with an instant dosa mix! Mix 1 cup red lentil flour, 1/2 cup rice flour and 1/2 cup semolina (sooji) with water and spices to make your own instant dosa batter.
– Lentil Pancakes/Wraps: Turn this recipe into a versatile meal option by making smaller pancakes or wraps with the batter. Simply pour 1/4 cup of dosa batter onto the griddle instead of the usual large dosa circle. Add fresh veggies and chutneys for a quick and tasty meal on-the-go.
– Brown Rice Dosa: For an even healthier version of this recipe, swap out white long grain rice with brown rice. Soak 3 cups of brown rice for at least 8 hours before blending it together with soaked lentils.
Whichever variation you decide to try, don’t be afraid to get creative with your flavours by adding extra spices such as cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds or fresh coriander.
Serving and Pairing
Red Lentil Dosas are a versatile dish that can be consumed in many ways. They are commonly served as a breakfast meal or as a snack, but they can also serve as lunch or dinner, depending on the pairings. The dosas can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature, and they pair beautifully with a range of foods and drinks, making them the ultimate comfort food.
One way to serve red lentil dosas is by serving them plain or with any chutney or dip. Mint, cilantro, peanut, coconut, or tomato chutney goes well with the dosa’s earthy flavors. The umami taste of sambar, a tangy tomato onion chutney, or yogurt-based sauce also pairs well with red lentil dosas. You can prepare chutneys and dips ahead and store them in containers in the refrigerator.
You can also stuff the red lentil dosas with different fillings like cooked vegetable curries, chicken curry or paneer tikka to make it more substantial meal for lunch or dinner. Spicy potato masala is a classic filling for south Indian style Masala Dosa , but options are endless you can add fillings of your choice and enjoy it.
If you want to add some crunch to your meal, you can also serve red lentil dosas with some pickles such as mango pickle or pickled vegetables on the side.
To make the meal more filling and nutritious along with being delectable you can pair Red Lentil Dosas with salad, raita (Indian yogurt dip)or any other vegetable preparation like beetroot thoran , avial (Mixed Vegetable Kerala Curry)to make it balanced meal.
To wash down these delicious red lentil dosas try drinking coconut chia seed smoothie that would perfectly balance out all the bold flavors of dosa batter. It is an energizing drink that helps digestion due to its probiotic benefits that come from the kefir.
In conclusion, there are many ways to serve and pair red lentil dosas depending on your preference. With imaginative ideas and pairing suggestions along with pantry staples like pickles and dips one can enjoy this South Indian Delicacy at home anytime.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Are you tight on time and worried that you might not have enough of it to cook up a fresh batch of red lentil dosas every single day? Well, worry no more. I have some great news that will save you precious hours in the kitchen!
Red lentil dosas freeze extremely well, so you can definitely make a large batch ahead of time, store them properly, and thaw and reheat them in no time when you’re ready to eat.
To make sure that your red lentil dosas maintain their taste and texture during storage, simply let them cool completely after cooking, then stack them between sheets of parchment or wax paper. This will prevent them from sticking together. Place the stack in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze.
You can keep red lentil dosas frozen for up to three months. When ready to reheat, simply remove them from the container/freezer bag, place them on a non-stick pan or griddle over low heat with a drizzle of oil or ghee, and warm until fully heated through.
Alternatively, if you want to reheat your dosas in the microwave, be mindful not to overheat as this could make them tough. Heat on a microwave-safe plate for about 20 seconds at a time until warm.
Remember to always consume any reheated food within two hours of rewarming to prevent food-borne illnesses.
Now you can enjoy the delicious taste of red lentil dosas anytime, without the hassle of cooking from scratch every time!
Tips for Perfect Results
Now that you have learned how to make red lentil dosas, it’s essential to know how to get perfect results each time you make them. Here are some helpful tips that will assist you in achieving restaurant-quality red lentil dosas.
Firstly, ensure that the batter is fermented adequately. This step is crucial in making soft and airy red lentil dosas. The longer you ferment the batter, the better the outcome will be. You can let the batter sit for at least six hours or overnight to achieve optimal fermentation.
Secondly, when making the dosas, use a non-stick cast-iron skillet or griddle. A non-stick pan will prevent the dosas from sticking, while a cast-iron skillet will help distribute heat evenly for perfectly cooked dosas.
Thirdly, use ghee or clarified butter when cooking your red lentil dosas instead of oil. Ghee adds a rich and nutty flavor to your dosas and makes them crispier.
Fourthly, if you want to avoid using rice in this recipe, replace it with quinoa or millet as a healthy option. These grains give the same texture as long grain rice and are gluten-free.
Finally, be creative with your toppings! Instead of traditional chutneys like coconut chutney or tomato chutney, try using different fillings such as roasted vegetables, cheese or even scrambled eggs for a hearty breakfast option.
Overall, following these tips will guarantee delicious and nutritious red lentil dosas every time you make them.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Red Lentil Dosas recipe is not only delicious but also easy to prepare. It is a great opportunity to experiment with different spices and ingredients, and to satisfy your taste buds while nourishing your body.
The versatility of this recipe allows for substitutions and variations, making it an ideal choice for individuals with dietary restrictions or preferences. The dosas pair exceptionally well with a variety of sides, such as chutneys and sauces, and can be served in different ways – as wraps or even pancakes.
The tips for perfect results and FAQs provided above will ensure you get the most out of your dosa-making experience. Moreover, the make-ahead and storing tips allow you to prepare this dish ahead of time or save leftovers for future meals.
Red Lentil Dosas are especially popular in South Indian cuisine, but with a little creativity, they can be adapted to suit any palate. So why not give this recipe a try? It’s the perfect dish to impress your friends and family at your next gathering or simply enjoy on a lazy weekend morning. Trust me; you won’t regret it!
Red Lentil Dosas Recipe
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup long grain rice
- 1/4 cup red lentil
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander
Instructions
- Place rice and lentils in a bowl, cover with water and let soak for 8 hours.
- Drain off water, reserve.Place rice and lentils in a food processer and blend till smooth. Blend in water.
- Scrape into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let ferment for 24 hours.
- Stir in the rest of the ingredients. Heat a frying pan and add a little oil.
- Spread 3 tbsp of batter in the pan into a 15 cm dosa.
- Cook for 2 minutes, until set. Drizzle a little oil over the dosa and flip. Cook for another minute.
- Keep them warm in the oven while making the others.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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