Many have difficulty in making dosa, especially beginners. Today I am going to share with you few tips which I follow to make perfect dosas!!
Once you practice, making dosa is very easy. Though I have both non stick and cast iron tawa, I personally prefer using cast iron tawa. I have given you few tips which I follow regularly to prevent dosas from sticking to the pan.
1.When you buy new cast- iron tawa, slightly heat the tawa, sprinkle salt on it and saute until golden brown. Switch off the heat. Once it cools, clean the tawa with a cloth, apply a light coating of oil and store it. This should be done when you buy a new cast iron tawa. Before making dosa, wash the tava well with water.
2.Try making omelet 2-3 times in it first, then make dosa. If you do not include eggs in your diet, then try making adai first. Once the cast iron tawa is seasoned well, it works wonderfully and making dosa is a breeze!!!
3.Before making dosa– Heat the tawa on medium flame, sprinkle some water, allow the water to evaporate, add 2-3 drops of oil on the tawa and rub the tawa with half an onion before spreading dosas. This prevents the dosa from sticking to the tawa and you can make olden brown, crispy dosas every time.
4.When onions are too costly, you can also cut the top portion of a brinjal or bottle gourd and use it instead of onions. Heat the tawa on medium flame, add 2 drops of oil on the tawa, rub/coat the tawa with oil holding the stalk of the brinjal/bottle gourd.
5.Bring the batter to room temperature before making dosa.
6.The temperature for making dosa should not be too high nor too low. If the tawa becomes very hot, sprinkle a little water on it to bring down the heat.
7.The dosa batter should not be too watery nor too thick.
8.Never wash tawa when it is hot. Once it cools, wash it with plain water and wipe it dry. If it is too oily, then use liquid soap and sponge to wash the tawa and wipe it dry with a cloth. Do not use harsh soap, plastic or steel scrubber to wash the tawa.
9.Use separate tawa for dosa and chapati.
10.When you buy iron tawa, buy thick iron tawas as they are good for making dosas and rotis. When you buy non-stick tawa, go for calphalon-a superior anodized product. Though it is a bit more expensive than teflon, it is much healthier. Do not use teflon coated non stick tawa, if the teflon coat peels/wears off.
Hope these tips will help you to make perfect dosas!!!
Reader can also post their tried and tested tips in the comments section.
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View Comments (111)
This definitely is a very useful post padma, especially for beginners.. Nice 1
Love your blog Padhu! Thanks for these tips - I've been thinking of getting a cast iron pan again. My last experience with it was a disaster (I didn't know about the oiling/onion, etc.) Will try these tips with my next one.
You have a fantastic blog here. Great work!
How many days can I use bottlegourd top stick?
For a day or two. Onion is best. If you do not have both, use a soft small cotton cloth (folded) to coat oil on the tawa.
For a day or two. Onion is best. If you do not have both, use a soft small cotton cloth (folded) to coat oil on the tawa.
Hi Padhu, Can we season the Indalium dosa tawa also in the same procedure?
Yes, you can Lalitha
Dear Padhu, thank yoou for yet another superb tip.....I have indeed learnt a lot from you. By the way, I prepared last time, but did not use any onion or brinjal to spread oil as the videos i watched on you tube ddnt showed in that ; way. infact i just spread the batter on the tawa ,and then sprinkled oil over it, then turned it and followed the same. the dosa was ok type. is my procedure wrong? plz guide
Your method is not wrong but if the dosa sticks to the pan, you can adopt the tips above. If you are buying a new cast iron tawa or indalium tawa, you can try all these tips to season the tawa.
Mam today I tried to make dosa but it is stick on my tava and it is a thin iron tawa.. What to do? Pls suggest any idea for dis
hi padhu...m new to kitchen area bcoz i got recently married...i luv ur enthu and varieties in making so many recipes...i hope it ll be very useful for me...keep it doing!!
Hi Padhu,
Nowadays Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Tawa Pan is being available. Any suggestion by you for the said tawa. I have decided now to put stop to nonstick tawa as within six months its out.
Hi Padhu, I am trying to find one of these pans in the USA. Where would you suggest I buy one? I have been trying to make dosa in a cast iron pan with sides on it. It is very difficult to do.
Thank you for any help. My friend is also looking for one.
Hi padhu
I don't hv non stick or dosa tawa,can I try on simple iron chapati tawa or fry pan,plz suggest
Thanks
Yes, you can Ashwani
Great tips padhu! I add a drop of oil and then a little water on the hot iron tawa (so that the oil spreads evenly) before every dosa and it turns out good