What is the easiest way to make dosa and sambhar for a bachelor like me with limited cooking experience?

Question

I love eating dosa. I wanted to be able to make it at home without too much fuss. How do I make dosa without under/over burning it?

is readymade dough for the dosa and sambhar available?

dosa and sambhar are south india cuisine.

I live in india.

Is it better to make it using tawA or microwave?

Answer 1

Sambhar Recipe
Yummy South Indian lentils and vegetables, a favourite Indian breakfast dish with idli (rice dumplings) or dosai (Indian pancakes). This recipe is not at all difficult - just assemble all the prepared ingredients before commencing to cook, and take one step at a time. I prefer to use freshly grated coconut, but unsweetened dried coconut is perfectly acceptable. Sambhar masala can be obtained from an Indian grocer, or make your own from recipe #110487 (much more fun!). I make this Sambhar with Toor dahl, and eat it with rice for the main meal of the day.
8 ounces red lentils or yellow lentils, picked over, washed and drained
3-4 cups water
1 inch ball tamarind pulp
1 cup boiling water, in which to soak the tamarind pulp
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I use coconut oil)
1/2 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
2 teaspoons sambhar powder
2 whole dried red chilies
1/4 teaspoon asafetida powder
8-10 fresh curry leaves
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tablespoons desiccated unsweetened coconut (shredded)
1 lb chopped mixed vegetables (for example, cauliflower, zucchini, red bell pepper, okra, mushrooms, peas, Brussels sprouts)
4 firm tomatoes, peeled and chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, extra
2 garlic cloves, extra, finely sliced
fresh cilantro, chopped, to garnish
4-6 servings

1. In a heatproof bowl, combine the tamarind pulp and 1 cup of boiling water, and let stand for 30 minutes. At the end of this time, squeeze and press the tamarind with your fingers to release as much pulp in the water as possible, then strain, discard the fibrous residue and seeds, and reserve the tamarind water.
2. Meanwhile, place the lentils in a deep saucepan, add the 3 cups of water and the turmeric, and bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and gently cook, uncovered, until the lentils are just tender, 20 to 30 minutes. If the water evaporates too quickly, add another 1/2 to 1 cup in total.
3. While the lentils are cooking, heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a small skillet, and saute the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, sambhar masala, dried red chillies, asafoetida, curry leaves, garlic and coconut, until the coconut becomes a golden brown - take care not to burn. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. When the lentils are tender, add the sauteed spice mix, along with the prepared vegetables, tomatoes and the tamarind water. Mix well, cover, and simmer until the vegetables are just tender. This should take 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how small or large you have diced the vegetables. As the tomatoes cook down, they should provide enough fluid to simmer the other vegetables in, but you can add another 1/2 cup water at your discretion.
5. Just before serving, heat the extra oil in a small skillet, and saute the sliced garlic and fresh cilantro for 30 seconds. Pour this mixture over the sambhar and mix through gently.

Perfect Dosa Recipe
When I was 16 years old, I moved in with a indian guy ...He taught me to make these dosa's.I found them be real simple, compared to the long process of making it traditionally.I hope you enjoy this recipe..Do let me know how it worked out....
1 cup urad dal four
3 cups rice flour
6 cups buttermilk
1 tablespoon salt, more salt if needed
1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
vegetable oil
4-10 servings

1. Mix the urad dal flour and rice flour.
2. Slowly add in buttermilk until it drops from the spoon smoothly. A blender will ease this process.
3. Add salt and fenugreek seeds to taste.
4. Refrigerate batter overnight in an air-tight container.
5. Heat oil in pan. Pour the dosa into the pan quickly. Use the bottom of a ladle to spread it thin and GENTLY smooth it out in a circle motion. Too hard and you will tear the dosa.

Answer 2

Are you from tamilnadu? Are you presently staying at tamilnadu? In majority of the towns of tamilnadu, readymade doughs for dosa are available. About Sambar, you can get readymade sambar masala mix and follow the instructions. If you are abroad, you could try to make dosa dough yourself. It is quite simple i think. you can get the recipe for dosa dough from any tamil lady. i am not sure if you get sambar masala abroad. If you are abroad, get home made sambar masala from home and take it with you. Many tamilians who are abroad do it.

Answer 3

i have never heard of dosa!