Adai (Lentil Crepe)

Adai is a kind of South Indian Dosa, a little bit thicker. It is made from a combination of lentils and rice. It goes with a side of Avial, Chutneys or like the Mr likes it - with jaggery and butter. Another good combo to go with this is just green chilies and salt ground and mixed with thick yogurt. So much for the sides, let's move on the main dish. This does not need any fermentation and only needs for the lentils to be soaked for some time, ground and the batter is ready to be made into mouth watering adais.

Difficulty level: Easy

Preparation Time: 3 hrs soaking time, 5 min grinding time, 2 mins per adai

Ingredients:

Soak for 3 hrs

• 2 cups boiled or idly rice
• 1 cup raw rice or long grain rice

Soak for 1/2 hr

• 1 cup bengal gram
• 1/2 cup toor dal
• 1/2 cup black urad dal

To grind along with soaked lentils and rice

• combination of green and red chilies (6-7 nos combined). You can use a combination of pepper and jeera (cumin) instead of the chilies when made for functions or just for a change also
• 6-7 nos curry leaves
• a bunch of cilantro (optional)
• soak hing (solid) if available in water and add to this, else use powdered hing
• Salt ( to taste)

Method de Preparation

1. Soak the rice for longer (3 hrs) and the lentils (1/2 hr) separately, immersed in water.
2. When done, grind together along with other ingredients in the list in a blender using not too much water. The consistency should be thicker than pancake batter, not runny. You can always add water later if needed.
3. If you like the adai crisp, grind the rice first and add the lentils midway to get a coarse mix, not too soft.
4. Once the batter is ready, heat the griddle and when hot, pour a spoonful of batter and spread out in a circle to make the adai. Add a bit of oil (1/2 tsp) on each side. Flip the Adai when done and add another 1/2 tsp of oil.
5. The Adai is done and ready to be devoured.
6. Goes with Avial on the side, or any chutney, or jaggery and butter or green chillies ground with yogurt. Whichever way you eat it you will love it!