Monday, September 03, 2012

Adai/Lentil Dosa/Lentil Crepe

Adai or the Lentil Crepes as the name itself suggests that it is made of lentils. In southern part of India it is usually prepared for breakfast as it is a protein rich food item. I have added a handful of drumstick leaves to increase the nutritional value. So this adai is rich in iron also. It is very simple to prepare and does not need much planning as for dosa. It goes well with avial, and jaggery. You can give it a variation by grinding a handful of soaked chick peas along with rice if preferred but I did not add.

I didn't get a chance to take photo of it this time, but I promise to capture the yummy shots next time I make it.

Now to the Adai Recipe/Adai dosa recipe (Lentil Crepes)

Ingredients:

Raw rice - 1/2 cup
Par Boiled rice (Idli rice)- 1/2 cup
Toor dal - 1/2 cup
Bengal gram/channa dal - 1/2 cup
Urad dal - 1/2 cup
Yellow split Moong dal - 1/2 cup
Dry Red chillies - 6
Salt as required
Oil for making adai. ( sesame seed oil preferable)

Ingredients to add to the batter

Asafoetida -1/4 tsp
Onion -2-3 finely chopped
Coconut -2 tbsp grated
Curry leaves - few
Drumstick leaves - 1/4 cup finely chopped

Method:

1. Soak rice and dal together for 4- 5 hours.
2. Grind it coarsely along with dry red chillies, and salt. The batter should be in medium pouring consistency not thick nor watery. 
3. In a pan, add 1 tsp of gingelly oil; when warm add asafoetida, finely chopped onions, few curry leaves, grated coconut, drumstick leaves and sauté for 3 mins in medium heat and add it to the batter, mix well.
4. Heat a griddle or a non stick fry pan and pour a ladle of batter and spread it in circular motion (like we do for pancake); make a tiny hole in the middle**. Add a tsp of gingelly oil* around it. Let it cook in medium heat until it's golden brown & crispy on the sides; then flip it over to the other side and drizzle a tsp of oil around the adai and cook it.
5. After both sides are cooked remove from pan and serve it hot with avial, jaggery or any other chutney of your choice.

You can make around 10 to 15 pancakes. 

Notes: 
* be generous in pouring oil you can use 2 - 3 tsp so it will turn out but crispy & tasty.
** the tiny hole helps the lentils in the adai to cook well. The hole can be upto 5 cents coin size.

Tips: 
1. Top it with some shredded cheddar cheese for your cheesy littlees.
2. Make mini lentil crepes with cheese & vegetable shreds on top and make it as a bite size anytime snack.

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