The Versatile Indian Dosa: A Global Culinary
Delight

5 min read

Posted on 14/05/2024

Article

Vegetarian Diet

Street Food

Indian Food

Quick Summary

Dosa is a popular South Indian dish that has been around for several centuries. Though initially, it was only a popular snack in the southern parts of the country, it has slowly crept into other regions as well. Today, restaurants, street vendors, and common Indian households indulge in various types of dosa. The Indian dosa has become a global sensation, admired for its versatility and mouth-watering potential. Whether you stick to the traditional versions or dive into the world of fusion cuisine, the dosa never fails to impress. Its delicate texture, delightful flavour, and endless possibilities make it a beloved culinary canvas that celebrates the beauty of fusion cooking.

Deep Dive

Indian cuisine is and always has been a treasure trove of unique flavours and dishes. Go anywhere in India and at every turn you’ll find a new dish or a variation of a favourite dish just as tasty as the original. One such dish that steals the spotlight is the humble yet versatile dosa. The dosa, which originated in South India, is a thin, crispy, and savoury crepe-like treat with fans from all across the globe. You could have it for breakfast, evening snack, lunch, or dinner. Dosa and its countless variations can be found as street food, in restaurants, and even in common Indian households. Different types of cereals and grains can be added to the dosa batter to make it more wholesome and delectable. So, let’s take a delightful journey exploring the countless ways the Indian dosa can be adapted to different cuisines worldwide!

Varieties of Indian Dosa

Dosa is made from lentils, beaten rice, and other ingredients. Different proportions of rice and lentils are used to create different varieties of dosa. The crispy varieties are on the thinner side whereas thicker variations are also available. The dosa batter is fermented. This not only gives it a unique taste but also increases its nutritional benefits. Apart from the traditional varieties, egg dosa, neer dosa, chicken dosa, cheese dosa, and various other varieties have become popular in India. Here are some of them:

1. Traditional Varieties

Let's start with the basics. The dosa, which is made from fermented rice and lentil batter, comes in many traditional varieties within Indian cuisine. You have got the classic plain dosa, known to all, served with a side of sambar and coconut chutney. You could also have the scrumptious masala dosa which is made by stuffing plain dosa with a spiced potato filling. There are onion dosas, rava dosas made with semolina, cheese dosas, chutney dosas, ragi dosas. The list goes on and on. These dosas cater to every palate, showcasing the incredible diversity of Indian cuisine.

2. Fusion Flavours

Thanks to the dosa’s versatility and adaptability, there have been some truly exciting blends of flavours from around the world. There is the Chinese-inspired Schezwan dosa made with spicy Schezwan paste and stir-fried veggies. There is also a Mexican dosa that is made using beans, salsa, cheese and avocados. These fusion dosas combine the best flavours from international cuisine with Indian tastes. You can create a mouth-watering experience that leaves your taste buds doing the happy dance!

3. Dosa Wraps and Rolls

Since the dosa is thin and flexible in texture, it becomes a fantastic substitute for all sorts of wraps and rolls. In many parts of the world, dosas are taking the place of tortillas, crepes and sometimes even bread.

Due to its mild flavour that plays well with others, dosa wraps can be filled with grilled veggies, chicken tikka, paneer, or even falafel. These offer a healthier, gluten-free option while still giving a familiar dish an exciting and tasty twist.

4. Dosa Tacos

Dosas are also finding their way to become a substitute for tortillas to make dosa tacos. Given how dosa has the same ability to be a soft or hard shell, like a tortilla, it is filled with spiced chicken, shredded cabbage, and tangy sauces

The next time you are in the mood for something Mexican and don’t have tortillas at home, just use a dosa.

5. Dosa Pizza

We would be amiss if we didn’t suggest one more dish where dosa could be used as a substitute. Brace yourselves. How about a dosa pizza? Hear us out.

Imagine a dosa topped with gooey cheese, ripe tomatoes, bell peppers, and your favourite protein— chicken, paneer, salami, etc. This is a true blend of Italian and Indian flavours. Each bite is more delightful than the last. Give it a try. It might be really good.

Take Away

Making a delicious dosa with coconut chutney or potato filling can fulfil your hunger pangs.Apart from this, you can experiment with the countless variations by finding their recipes on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and other online communities and social media apps.

Whatever way you decide to experiment with it, the dosa will always have your back. With its versatility and mouth-watering potential, the dosa is truly a global superstar of Indian cuisine!

blurb

The crispy dosa has been around in India since the 5th century.

Dosa is a healthy snack as it does not contain any preserved ingredients or sugar.

It is believed that dosa was first made on the temple streets of Udupi, Karnataka.