DOSA/CREPES MADE WITH IDILY BATTER

I use the idily batter for the dosa. The batter is used for making idily on the first day and dosas the next day. And that's usually a Friday. Have an iron griddle and a non-sticky one for making dosas. I have been making dosas on a prestige non sticky pan for a very long time. Recently I bought a 10 inch Lodge Iron griddle , just out of curiosity. Both are working fine for me. One week I make dosas on the non sticky, the other week I make it on the iron griddle. My  husband  prefers the non sticky dosas. So I keep alternating it.

METHOD

• The batter can be diluted using 1 to 2 Tbsp of water depending on whether you want thick or thin dosas.
• Heat the dosa griddle on the stove on medium heat.
• Use an onion with a fork to season the hot griddle. 

• Cut the onion close to the stock so that there is no wastage and it can be discarded after use.

 

• Pour a laddleful of dosa batter and spread it with bottom of the laddle. 

• I cut the butter into very tiny cubes and keep them covered in the fridge . I use the tiny butter cubes instead of ghee . 
  
  
  
  

• Cover and cook for 30 to 40 seconds.

• Now time to take out the dosa. Use a flat and thin steel spatula for taking out the dosas. this is the one I use .
  

• Now taking out the dosas from the griddle without sticking to the griddle is the tricky part. Work with a spatula , you are most comfortable with and can manoeuvre easily with. Start with one side, usually there will be a slight opening somewhere  around  the edge of the dosa. Start the spatula from there and work your way through into the dosa. The edges around the circumference of the dosa will come by itself as you go inward.
  

• Dosa ready.
  
  
  

• Now for the next round of dosa , ready the griddle by drizzling a little water and wiping it with the onion. this will ensure that it's at the right temperature. Drizzling water works for iron griddles but not for non-sticky ones. For non-sticky ones take the griddle off the stove and wipe it with a cloth. Drizzling water needs to be done only if the griddle gets too hot. Most of the times wiping the griddle with the onion will work. Once the griddle is seasoned and well trained , it does not even need the occassional wiping with onion too.
  
  
  
  

• Continue making the dosas.
  

NOTES

• To get a good flavor and a more crispy dosa, mix 1/2 tsp sambar powder , 1 tsp sugar and 2 tsp besan(chickpea flour, kadalamaav) in a little bit of water and add it to the dosa batter. This is my mother's tip.
• If the batter is too loose , use an iron griddle to make dosas . Using non sticky pan won't work. 
• The dosas have an excellent  glossy finish when using a non sticky tawa.
• I alternate between both the pans.

Taking care of your iron griddle

• For a new griddle ,wash it with warm soapy water and rinse and rub it with a little butter using the sliced onion.
• If dosa is still sticking to the griddle , fry an egg in the pan and then start making the dosas.
• Use your iron griddle only for making dosas .
• Wash the iron griddle prior to making dosas . Don't wash it and store it away. Chances of rusting are more when you do this.
• While storing the griddle , put it in an upright position or store it bottom side up.