Dosa is a popular South Indian dish that has gained popularity across India and even the world due to its crispy texture and delicious taste. Traditionally, dosa is made with rice and urad dal batter and served with coconut chutney and sambar. While the traditional dosa is delicious and nutritious, there are several variations of dosa that can make for an even healthier and tastier meal.
In this article, we will explore some healthy dosa variations that are not only delicious but also packed with nutrition. From adding vegetables and protein to using alternative grains, these dosa variations are perfect for those who want to enjoy a tasty and wholesome meal. So, let's dive in and discover some delicious dosa variations that are sure to satisfy your taste buds and nourish your body.
1. Neer Dosa
Neer dosa is a popular South Indian pancake that is made from rice batter. The name "neer" means water in Kannada, which refers to the thin and watery consistency of the batter used to make the dosa. Neer dosa is a favourite among many because of its soft and light texture, and its ability to pair well with a variety of side dishes.
Neer dosa can be enjoyed with a variety of accompaniments such as coconut chutney, tomato chutney, and sambar. It is a healthy and delicious meal option that is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup of rice
• Water for soaking
• 1/2 cup of coconut water
• Salt to taste
Instructions:
• Rinse the rice and soak it in water for at least 2 hours.
• Drain the water and grind the rice with fresh water until it becomes a smooth batter.
• Add coconut water and salt to the batter and mix well.
• Heat a non-stick griddle or dosa tawa over medium heat.
• Pour a ladleful of batter onto the griddle and spread it in a circular motion to form a thin dosa.
• Drizzle a few drops of oil on the edges and cook until the dosa turns golden brown.
• Flip the dosa and cook for another 30 seconds.
• Remove the dosa from the griddle and serve hot with chutney or sambar.
Neer dosa is a simple and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a light and healthy meal. Try this recipe at home and enjoy the delicious taste of neer dosa.
2. Ragi Dosa
Ragi dosa, also known as finger millet dosa, is a healthy and delicious variation of the traditional South Indian dosa. It is made with ragi flour, which is rich in fibre, calcium, and other essential nutrients. Ragi dosa is not only easy to make but also a perfect breakfast or snack option for those who are looking for a healthy and filling meal.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup ragi flour
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup urad dal
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil, for cooking
Instructions:
• Rinse the urad dal in water and soak it in water for at least 4 hours.
• Grind the urad dal to a smooth batter using a mixer or a wet grinder. Add water as needed while grinding.
• In a separate bowl, mix the ragi flour, rice flour, and salt.
• Add the urad dal batter to the flour mixture and mix well. Add water as needed to make a smooth batter with a pouring consistency. Cover the batter and let it ferment for 6-8 hours or overnight.
• Heat a non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, spread a ladleful of batter in a circular motion to make a thin dosa.
• Drizzle a little oil around the edges of the dosa and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown.
• Flip the dosa and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the other side is cooked.
• Serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
Ragi dosa is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional dosa. It is easy to make and can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The addition of ragi flour not only adds nutrition but also gives a unique nutty flavour to the dosa.
3. Oats Dosa
Oats dosa is a healthy and nutritious variation of the traditional dosa that is made using oats and urad dal. Oats are a rich source of fibre, protein, and several other nutrients, making them an excellent addition to your diet. Here is an easy recipe to make oats dosa at home:
Ingredients:
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup urad dal
• 1/4 cup rice flour
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil, for cooking
Instructions:
• Rinse the urad dal in water and soak it in water for at least 4 hours.
• Grind the urad dal to a smooth batter using a mixer or a wet grinder. Add water as needed while grinding.
• In a separate bowl, grind the rolled oats to a fine powder.
• Add the ground oats, rice flour, and salt to the urad dal batter. Mix well to combine. Add water as needed to make a smooth batter with a pouring consistency. Cover the batter and let it ferment for 6-8 hours or overnight.
• Heat a non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, spread a ladleful of batter in a circular motion to make a thin dosa.
• Drizzle a little oil around the edges of the dosa and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown.
• Flip the dosa and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the other side is cooked.
• Serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
Oats dosa is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional dosa. It is easy to make and can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The addition of oats not only adds nutrition but also gives a unique nutty flavour to the dosa.
4. Adai Dosa
Adai dosa is a nutritious and flavourful variation of the traditional dosa from the South Indian cuisine. Unlike the regular dosa, Adai dosa is made with a combination of rice, lentils, and spices. The use of different lentils and spices gives Adai dosa a unique taste and texture that is both crispy and slightly chewy.
Adai dosa is a rich source of protein, fibre, and essential nutrients, making it an excellent choice for a healthy and wholesome meal. It is also gluten-free and vegan-friendly, making it suitable for people with dietary restrictions.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup idli rice
• 1/2 cup chana dal
• 1/2 cup toor dal
• 1/4 cup urad dal
• 1/4 cup moong dal
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2-3 dry red chilies
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil, for cooking
Instructions:
• Rinse the rice and the lentils in water and soak them separately in water for at least 3-4 hours.
• Grind the rice, chana dal, toor dal, urad dal, and moong dal to a coarse batter using a mixer or a wet grinder.
• Add cumin seeds, black pepper, dry red chilies, grated ginger, and salt to the batter and mix well. Add water as needed to make a thick batter with a pouring consistency.
• Heat a non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, spread a ladleful of batter in a circular motion to make a thick dosa.
• Drizzle a little oil around the edges of the dosa and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown.
• Flip the dosa and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the other side is cooked.
• Serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
Adai dosa is a delicious and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The combination of different lentils and spices gives Adai dosa a unique taste and texture that is both filling and satisfying. With this simple recipe, you can easily make Adai dosa at home and enjoy a healthy and wholesome meal.
5. Rava Dosa
Rava dosa is a popular South Indian dish that is made with semolina, also known as rava or sooji. It is a quick and easy recipe that requires no fermentation, making it a popular breakfast or snack option. Rava dosa has a crispy and crunchy texture and is often served with coconut chutney and sambar. In this article, we will explore a simple recipe for rava dosa that you can make at home.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup semolina (rava/sooji)
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (maida)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• 1 tsp ginger, grated
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil, for cooking
Instructions:
• In a large bowl, mix the semolina, rice flour, all-purpose flour, chopped onion, green chili, ginger, cumin seeds, and salt.
• Add water to the bowl gradually while stirring until you get a thin batter with a pouring consistency. Mix well and let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes.
• Heat a non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, drizzle a few drops of oil and spread it evenly.
• Pour a ladleful of batter in a circular motion starting from the outer edge to the inner edge of the pan. Do not spread the batter like a traditional dosa.
• Drizzle a few drops of oil around the edges of the dosa and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown and crispy.
• Flip the dosa and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the other side is cooked and crispy.
• Serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
Rava dosa is a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for a delicious and filling breakfast or snack. The addition of onion, ginger, and cumin seeds gives it a unique and flavourful taste. The crispy and crunchy texture of the dosa is perfect when paired with the smoothness of the coconut chutney and the spiciness of the sambar.
6. Moong Dal Dosa
Moong dal dosa is a nutritious and delicious variation of the traditional dosa that is made using moong dal (yellow split lentils) instead of urad dal. Moong dal is a rich source of protein, fibre, and other essential nutrients, making it an excellent addition to your diet. Here is a simple recipe to make moong dal dosa at home:
Ingredients:
• 1 cup moong dal
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil, for cooking
Instructions:
• Rinse the moong dal in water and soak it in water for at least 4 hours.
• Drain the water and grind the soaked moong dal to a smooth batter using a mixer or a wet grinder. Add water as needed while grinding.
• In a separate bowl, mix the rice flour, green chili, ginger, and salt.
• Add the moong dal batter to the flour mixture and mix well. Add water as needed to make a smooth batter with a pouring consistency. Cover the batter and let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Heat a non-stick pan or a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Once the pan is hot, spread a ladleful of batter in a circular motion to make a thin dosa.
• Drizzle a little oil around the edges of the dosa and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom turns golden brown.
• Flip the dosa and cook for another 1-2 minutes until the other side is cooked.
• Serve hot with coconut chutney or sambar.
Moong dal dosa is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional dosa. It is easy to make and can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The addition of moong dal not only adds nutrition but also gives a unique flavour to the dosa. You can also add other vegetables like grated carrots or chopped onions to make it more nutritious and flavourful.
So why not try some of these healthy dosa variations for your next meal? Whether you are looking for a gluten-free option, a protein-packed meal, or just a delicious and wholesome dish, there's a dosa variation for everyone.