Hot and crispy dosa tastes best when served with a bowl of spicy sambar and array of chutneys. This is perhaps the best thing about eating dosa at a restaurant. The minute the servers at the restaurant spot that you are running out of sambar or chutney, they immediately fill up your bowl to the brim. While the taste of dosa in the most restaurant is the same, it is the taste and flavours of the condiments or side dishes that makes all the difference. In fact, we revisit a South Indian restaurant based on the taste of the chutney or sambar served at the restaurant. Although, coconut chutney and sambar are the most popular side dishes, dosa can also be served in a variety of ways. In fact, down south people consume dosa with leftover dal or vegetables and spice mixture. Here are some lip smacking recipes of side dishes other than chutney and sambar that can be easily prepared at home.

Gun Powder or Chutney Podi

The famous gun powder, made from a concoction of spices is a popular condiment that can be served with dosa, rice and idli. This spice mix can be made in a variety of ways. The taste of this recipe can vary as every household has their own technique or secret method to prepare it. Here is an easy and quick way to prepare this medley of spicy flavours.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon of Chana dal
• 2 tablespoon of Urad Dal
• Handful of peanuts
• ½ cup Sesame seeds
• 8 to 9 Garlic cloves
• 2 teaspoon coriander seeds
• 2 teaspoon cumin seed
• Asafoetida or hing powder
• Salt to taste
• 6-7 dry red chilies
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 3-4 pepper corn

Method

Step 1 – Dry roast the cumin seeds, coriander seeds and turmeric powder and keep it aside.

Step 2 – Now dry roast chana dal, urad dal, peanuts and sesame seeds separately and let it also cool down.

Step 3 – In a blender add the garlic cloves, dry red chilies, salt, hing powder, pepper corn and the roasted mixtures. Now blend this mixture into a coarse powder.

Step 4 – Bottle this mixture and store it in a cool, dry place. This mixture can last you for 2 to 3 months.

How to use Gun powder?

If you are making dosa for the first time, preparing dosa using the traditional technique may be intimidating. However, with an appliance like KENT Dosa and Chilla Maker, you can prepare the best dosa at home. This is a unique dosa machine that simplifies the process. Just plug in the dosa machine and once it’s hot enough, flip the appliance over the dosa batter. Immediately flip it over and let the side of the dosa cook through. Once the dosa is ready, sprinkle the gun powder with a little bit of ghee. Enjoy crispy and flavourful dosa.

Tomato Kurma

Tomato kurma is a tangy and easy recipe that can be served with dosa, idli, appam and even uttapam. The recipe is midway between sambar and chutney.

Ingredients –

• Onion – 1 Large
• Tomato – 2
• Green chili – 2
• Ginger/garlic paste – 1 teaspoon
• Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon
• Red chili powder – 1 teaspoon
• Garam masala – 1/4 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt – to taste
• Fresh coconut- 1 cup
• Roasted chana and urad dal- 2 teaspoon each
• Pepper corn- a handful
• Curry leaves- a handful
• Mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon
• Cumin seeds -1/2 teaspoon
• Chili flakes- ½ teaspoon

Method –

Step 1 – First prepare the ground masala. For this, add fresh coconut, roasted chana and urad dal, curry leaves and pepper corn in a food processor and blend it into a coarse paste.

Step 2 – In a wok add a tablespoon of oil. Once the oil is hot enough, add finely chopped onion and sauté till medium brown. Now, add the tomatoes and cover the pan with a cover. After that add all the masala including coriander power, chili powder, garam masala, turmeric powder and salt.  Cook thoroughly till you can see the oil releasing from the paste. Now, add the ground masala that you prepared earlier, mix well and cover and cook for another 6-7 minutes.

Step 3 – Once the curry is ready, it’s time to temper the curry. In a wok heat a little oil. Add mustard and cumin seeds, dry chili flakes and mustard seeds. Now spread it over the tomato kurma. Serve this curry with hot tasty dosas.

Dosa is a very versatile dish and you can also serve it with chutney and gun-powder. The recipes discussed in this write-up are very easy to prepare and you can store them for a few days. Therefore, if you are left with some batter, prepare the dosa instantly and serve them with these amazing side dishes.