BASIC SOUTH INDIAN RICE AND BEAN CREPES

Basic South Indian Rice and Bean Crepes image

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

2 cups long-grain white or parboiled rice, sorted and washed in 3 to 4 changes of water
2/3 cup dried white urad beans (dhulli urad dal), sorted and washed in 3 to 4 changes of water
1/2 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
3 tablespoons peanut oil (about)

Steps:

1. Place the rice in one bowl and the dal and fenugreek seeds in another. Soak both overnight in water to cover by about 2 inches. Drain and grind each one separately in a blender (not a food processor), blending to make a smooth and semi-thick batter, adding up to 1/4 cup water to each mixture, as needed.2. In a large bowl, mix both the batters together and add the salt. Cover and place in a warm, dry spot to ferment until fluffy and full of tiny bubbles, at least 24 hours. Mix in up to 2/3 cup water - just enough to make a semi-thick batter of pouring consistency then whip with a fork to make it fluffier.3. To make the dosa, heat a large cast-iron tava or a nonstick griddle or skillet over medium-high heat until a sprinkling of water sizzles immediately. Wipe the tava and baste it lightly with oil. Using a metal soup ladle, pour about 1/2 cup of batter onto the hot tava and spread it evenly into a 6- to 7-inch circle by lightly pushing the batter outwards in round, circular motions with the back of the ladle.4. As the dosa sets and turns lightly golden on the bottom (which happens very quickly), drizzle 1/2 to 1 teaspoon oil around the edges and a few drops over the top and cook until the bottom takes on a rich golden hue, about 15 seconds. Turn over once and cook until the other side is barely golden, about 30 seconds. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve as is, or fill in some dry-cooked vegetables or meats and transform it into a Stuffed South Indian Crepe (see Breads and Crepes).From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves