Barley and Brown Rice Dosa

Dosa is a fermented crepe made from rice and black lentil batter and is a staple dish from south India. This has become popular in rest of the country as well. Barley and brown rice dosa is a similar one but a healthier version as the name suggests.

Whole grain barley, due to its high-fiber and high-protein, boasts numerous health benefits. According to the FDA, barley's soluble fiber reduces the risk of coronary heart disease and can lower cholesterol. But that’s not all that this amazing food does! Barley also contains insoluble fiber, which reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes and colon cancer. One cup of cooked barley provides 193 calories, 6 grams of fiber and 3.5 grams of protein. With less than one gram of fat per serving, barley is a virtually fat-free food and is also cholesterol-free.

Packed with natural oils, brown rice is extremely heart-friendly. Due to its fibrous concentration, it facilitates healthy bowel movement and promotes weight-loss. A cup of brown rice fulfills about 80 per cent of the daily requirement of manganese in the body, which in turn helps in the formation of healthy cholesterol. Brown rice improves metabolism and keeps you feeling fuller for a long time.

Let us use whole grains in our daily cooking and live a healthy life. Now, to the recipe:

Ingredients
½ cup black lentils / urad dal
¾ cup barley
¾ cup brown rice
¼ tsp fenugreek seeds / methi
1 tbsp split bengal gram / chana dal
2 tbsp beaten rice / poha
salt to taste
oil as required
water as required

Method

• Rinse and soak brown rice, barley together and lentils, fenugreek seeds together for 5-6 hours.
• Grind lentils along with fenugreek seeds to a smooth & fluffy consistency by adding enough water.
• Grind the rice with poha into a smooth paste by adding just enough water.
• Combine both the batters well in a large enough bowl and let it ferment overnight.
• The next morning the batter is ready for making thin, crispy dosas.
• Add salt, mix well and adjust the consistency by adding enough water. 
• Heat a non stick tawa or iron griddle (grease with little oil if using griddle, not required for nonstick tawa)
• Add batter with a laddle and spread in a circular motion from the centre towards the sides of the tawa.
• Drizzle little oil around the edges and few sprinkles on the top.
• If the tawa is greased well, dosa will start to leave the edges. Use spatula to fold dosa.
• Dosa is now ready to serve with your favorite chutney.

Note: I prefer my dosa to be crispy, so I spread it very thin. If you like soft, fluffy dosas, try spreading the batter little thick and do not forget to flip them and cook on the other side too.

Find the recipe for basic plain dosa here.