Crispy Dosa (with watermelon rinds).

Dosa or Dose (in Kannada Language) is a breakfast/snack dish.  It is one of the staple food of South Indians.

We normally use raw rice , urid dal, methi/fenugrik seeds and a little avalakki/flattened or beaten rice.
Trying some thing with the same ingredients and adding some thing else which is always interesting and I call it as creative.  Of course it is always the best to use what has come all the way from olden days. Dosa is best with its original ingredients. But it has taken so many turns and varieties.
Lets see some interesting facts about the dosa origin.

The origin of dosa is from Udupi, It is said so, may be because of famous Udupi restaurants. The thinner and crisper version of dosa, which has become very popular all over India and around the world was first made in Karnataka. A recipe for dosa (As dosaka) can be found in " Manasollasa " a 12th century Sanskrit Encyclopedia compiled by Someshvara  3rd who ruled present day Karnataka. 

Dosa is a common breakfast dish and it is also a popular street food. it is high in carbohydrates. It is prepared using rice and urdid dal. Urid dal is rich in protein. The fermentation process increases the level of Vitamin B and Vitamin C. Dosa are high in fat but are considered low in calorie. ( From Wikipedia).
As I said earlier, I have used watermelon rind along with other dosa ingredients. It is one good way to make use of watermelon rind and get the benefits from it.
Remember you do not add any extra water while grinding. Use watermelon rind pieces. Watermelon rind contain water and that will be sufficient for grinding rice and urid dal.

Ingredients :

Dosa rice (Raw) : 2 Cups
Urid dal : 1/2 Cup
Methi/Fenugrik seeds : 1 Teaspoon
Avalakki/Flattened rice : 1/2 Cup (Two fist (Handful).
Salt : To Taste
Oil : 2 to 3 Tablespoons

Method :

1. Wash and soak raw rice, methi seeds and urid dal together.
2. Wash avalakki and soak it separately. Soak all the ingredients at least 3 hours.
3. Wash and remove the green top portion of watermelon skin and cut the rind into small pieces.
4. Now grind ingredients little by little using watermelon rind pieces. (Do not use water).

5. Remove from the mixi jar and put it in a big bowl. Add salt and let it ferment for over night. (or 5 to 6 hours).
6. Keep a dosa pan on the fire and heat. Sprinkle oil and spread it evenly. Clean it with a kitchen tissue.

7. Take a ladle full of dosa dough and spread on heated tava. (let the fire be low).
8. Sprinkle little oil on the top and cover. Let it cook till it gets crispy. (30 seconds to 1 minute).

9. Remove the hot crispy dosa and serve with the side dish you have prepared.

10. Repeat the same and prepare dosas with remaining dosa dough and enjoy .

Note :

I have used Mixi (Liquidizer ) to grind the ingredients. It is easy to grind watermelon rind pieces.
If you are using grinder, Watermelon rind pieces should be ground in mixi jar and then add it to the ingredients. Watermelon rind pieces contain lots of water and it is more than enough for grinding the dough. (My experience). Add water only if required. Prepare dosas on low and medium flame. Using of Nonstick pan is optional. (I have used dosa tava). First try with little quantity of ingredients.

Time : Soaking time : 4 Hours : Grinding : 10 minutes, Fermenting : 6 hours, 
Preparation : 30 minutes.
Serves : 5 to 6 

Raw Mango Drink

Raw Mango drink is a soothing and comforting drink during summer. It is one of the traditional recipe from olden days. My aunt used to prepare this drink and we used enjoy most of the summer days.

I have used Raw Mango, jaggery which is very good cooling agent for our body and very little spices like jeera and pepper. Adding pepper and jeera helps the drink not only the spicy taste but takes care of our health too.
Lets see some benefits of having " Raw Mango " in our diet.
Raw mangoes are very good for treating blood disorders. They contain high amount of Vitamin C and it helps to boosts the formation of new blood cells. Raw mangoes are good for hormonal health. They contain Vitamin B and it helps to retain good health. Raw mangoes help to constipation and indigestion problems. They are good for removing the infections. Raw mangoes contain Vitamin A and Vitamin E which helps to enhance the hormonal system. Raw mangoes help to prevent dehydration and quench the thirst. Drinking unripe mango juice prevents the excessive loss of sodium chloride and iron. Raw mango is good to treat liver disorder.
Lets see the recipe now. I have used Totapuri Mango and it is not that sour and it is also eaten with salt and chilly powder.

Ingredients :

Raw Mango : 1 (Small size)
Jaggery :  3 to 4 Tablespoons
Pepper pods : 2 to 5
Jeera / Cumin Seeds : 1/4 Teaspoon
Salt : a little

Method ;

1. Wash and grate a little and keep it aside. Cut the remaining mango into small pieces.

2. Grind these pieces, pepper, jeera with little water into fine paste.
3. Add jaggery and grind it again. Remove from the mixi jar to a bowl.

4. Add 2 to 3 glasses of water and mix it well and sieve it with a strainer.

5. Now add grated mango and a little salt to the Raw Mango Drink and mix it well again.

6. Pour them into serving bowl and serve.

Note : 

You can remove the outer green skin and then grind the mango which is easy to grind. Adding sugar/honey instead of jaggery is optional. Remember jaggery is very good for health.
Time : 10 minutes
Serves : 2 to 3