Karnataka Special Masala Dosa Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Dosa Batter - Soaking

Take 500 grams of rice and wash it thoroughly about 5 times. In a separate bowl, add 150 grams of urad dal and approximately 1/4 teaspoon (about 30 seeds) of fenugreek seeds. Wash the dal and fenugreek seeds. Soak both the rice and dal mixture in plenty of water for 4-5 hours.

Step 2: Prepare Dosa Batter - Grinding

After 4-5 hours, drain the water from the soaked rice and dal. Transfer the mixture to a mixer grinder. Add a handful of cooked rice (not explicitly shown in grinding, but mentioned by speaker) and a small amount of water. Grind until the batter is very smooth and fine, with no coarse particles. Repeat for all the soaked ingredients.

Step 3: Prepare Dosa Batter - Fermentation

Transfer the ground batter to a large vessel. Add salt to taste and a pinch of baking soda. Pour a little water over the baking soda to activate it, then mix the batter thoroughly. Cover the vessel with a plate and place a heavy stone or object on top to prevent the batter from overflowing during fermentation. Let it ferment overnight.

Step 4: Prepare Potato Palya - Boiling Potatoes

Peel and chop 3-4 medium potatoes into small pieces. Wash them thoroughly. Boil the potatoes until soft. Drain most of the water, leaving about 10% of the boiling water in the pot. Mash the potatoes until smooth, ensuring there are no lumps.

Step 5: Prepare Potato Palya - Tempering

Heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan. Once hot, add 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds, 1 tablespoon of chana dal, and 1 tablespoon of urad dal. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add 2-3 chopped green chilies and fry for about 30 seconds. Add a sprig of curry leaves.

Step 6: Prepare Potato Palya - Cooking Onions and Spices

Add 1 medium chopped onion to the pan. Fry until the onion turns light brown and its raw smell disappears. Add 1 teaspoon of Kasuri Methi, salt to taste, and 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder. Mix well and fry for about 1 minute.

Step 7: Prepare Potato Palya - Combining

Add the mashed potatoes to the pan with the fried tempering. Mix everything thoroughly until the spices are well combined with the potatoes and the palya is soft and smooth. Set aside.

Step 8: Prepare Emergency Masala Powder

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of coriander powder, 1 tablespoon of garam masala, 1 tablespoon of chicken masala powder, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well. This powder is for emergency use when a traditional masala powder is not available.

Step 9: Prepare Coconut Chutney

In a mixer grinder, add 1/2 cup of coconut pieces, 4-5 garlic cloves, a small piece of tamarind, and salt to taste. Add 6-8 roasted red chilies. Add water as needed and grind to a thin, fine paste.

Step 10: Cook Masala Dosa

Heat a dosa tawa on the gas. Once hot, rub half an onion over the surface of the tawa, then apply a little oil. Take one ladleful of fermented dosa batter and pour it onto the center of the tawa. Spread it outwards in a circular motion to form a thin dosa. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of cooking oil around the edges.

Step 11: Assemble and Serve Dosa

Cook the dosa until it turns golden brown and crispy. Gently flip the dosa and cook for about 5 seconds on the other side, then flip it back. Sprinkle the prepared emergency masala powder evenly over the dosa. Add 1 tablespoon of ghee. Place a portion of the potato palya in the center of the dosa. Fold the dosa in half. Serve hot with coconut chutney.

• Use a large vessel for fermenting the dosa batter to prevent overflow as it rises overnight.

• Mash the boiled potatoes thoroughly to ensure a smooth, lump-free palya that spreads well in the dosa.

• Rubbing half an onion on the hot tawa before pouring the batter helps prevent the dosa from sticking and ensures even cooking.