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Upma & Dosa

Upma & Dosa

A classic South Indian combination featuring crispy fermented rice and lentil crepes (Dosa) and a savory, semolina-based breakfast porridge (Upma). This recipe provides instructions for preparing the Dosa batter from scratch and cooking Upma.
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g Raw Rice e.g., Sona Masuri or Idli rice
  • 60 g Urad Dal split black lentils, without skin
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fenugreek seeds methi
  • Water for soaking and grinding
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • Vegetable oil or Ghee for cooking Dosa
  • 200 g Rava Bombay rava or medium semolina
  • 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil or Ghee
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Urad dal split black lentils
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cumin seeds
  • 1 large Onion finely chopped
  • 1 small Green chilli finely chopped (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cm Ginger grated
  • A few Curry leaves
  • 1 medium Carrot finely diced
  • 50 g Green peas fresh or frozen
  • 700 ml Hot water
  • 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
  • Juice of 1/2 Lemon
  • Fresh Coriander leaves chopped, for garnish

Method
 

  1. Soak the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the raw rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds. Rinse them thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Then, add enough fresh water to cover them by at least 2-3 inches and let them soak for 4-6 hours. You'll notice the grains plump up significantly, becoming softer to the touch.
  2. Grind to a Smooth Batter: Drain the soaked ingredients and transfer them to a high-speed blender or a wet grinder. Add just enough fresh water (start with about 150ml) to help the blades move, and grind until you achieve a very smooth, creamy batter. It should be the consistency of thick pancake batter, with no discernible graininess when you rub a little between your fingers. You might hear a gentle whirring sound as the ingredients break down into a fine paste.
  3. Ferment the Batter: Pour the ground batter into a large, clean bowl. Add the salt and mix well with your hands – the warmth from your hand can aid fermentation. Cover the bowl loosely with a lid or a clean cloth and leave it in a warm spot in your kitchen for 12-18 hours. You'll know it’s ready when the batter has visibly risen, becoming airy and bubbly, and you might detect a pleasant, slightly sour aroma.

Notes

The Dosa batter requires significant passive time for soaking (4-6 hours) and fermentation (12-18 hours). Plan ahead to allow for these crucial steps. The provided instructions only cover Dosa batter preparation and Upma cooking; actual Dosa cooking steps (spreading on a griddle) are not detailed but are assumed to be part of the 'cook_time'. Ensure your fermentation environment is warm for best results.