How to Make the Perfect Ghee Roast Dosa in South India

Making ghee dosa is a delightful culinary experience that is especially popular in South India. The addition of ghee not only enhances the flavor but also adds a crispy texture to the dosa. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to make this delicious and traditional dish.

Ingredients

For the Dosa Batter

2 cups dosai batter (store-bought or homemade) Ghee (clarified butter) as needed Oil for greasing the pan

For the Dosa Batter (if making it at home)

1 cup rice (preferably parboiled rice) 1/2 cup urad dal (split black gram) 1/4 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (optional) Salt to taste Water as needed

Instructions for Making the Dosa Batter

Soak the Ingredients: Wash and soak the rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds if using separately for at least 4-6 hours. Grind: Grind the soaked ingredients separately until smooth, adding water as needed to get a smooth and slightly thick batter. Ferment: Combine the ground rice and dal mixtures. Add salt and mix well. Cover and let it ferment overnight or for about 8-12 hours in a warm place until the batter has risen and is bubbly.

Instructions for Making Ghee Dosa

Heat the Pan: Heat a non-stick tawa griddle or a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly grease it with a few drops of oil. Pour the Batter: Pour a ladleful of dosai batter in the center of the pan and spread it in a circular motion to form a thin dosai. Add Ghee: Drizzle a little ghee around the edges and on top of the dosai. Cook: Cook until the edges start to lift and the bottom turns golden brown. If you like your dosai crisp, you can cook it a little longer. Traditional dosai, however, is cooked on one side only. Serve: Remove the dosai from the pan and serve immediately with chutney, sambar, or any side dish of your choice. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding ghee to each dosai.

Flavor Enhancements

For an extra layer of flavor, serve the ghee dosa with homemade idli dosa chutney powder. This adds a tangy and spicy kick to the dish, making it even more delicious. Simply sprinkle the chutney powder all over the dosa and drizzle with at least 5 teaspoons of melted ghee for that extra touch of flavor and texture.

Conclusion

With these simple steps, you can enjoy a perfect ghee dosa right from the comfort of your home. The key to a great ghee dosa lies in the quality of the batter and the application of ghee. Enjoy your meal and the rich, aromatic flavors of South Indian cuisine.