Dosa Delights: Choosing the Perfect Tawa for Diwali

Dosa is a South Indian specialty that is enjoyed not only as a meal but also as a popular snack. It's a versatile and delicious choice for Diwali, providing a savory and crispy treat that's loved by people of all ages. Dosa can be cooked in a dosa tawa and can be served with a variety of accompaniments such as coconut chutney, sambar, and different fillings to make it a perfect addition to your Diwali menu.

Many people prefer savory snacks during Diwali to balance out the sweet treats traditionally associated with the festival. Dosa offers a delightful change from sweets and provides a flavorful and satisfying option that's perfect for serving to guests during the celebrations.

Can Dosa Be a Part of Your Diwali Snacks?

You can definitely prepare dosa as a delightful and savory snack for your Diwali celebrations. Dosa makes for a versatile and delicious snack option, and it can be customized to suit your guests' preferences. Here's how to make dosa snacks for Diwali: 

Ingredients:

For the Dosa Batter:

• Dosa batter; Ghee or oil for cooking

For Filling (choose one or more):

1. Potato Masala Filling: A mixture of mashed potatoes, spices, and herbs.
2. Paneer Filling: Grated or crumbled paneer seasoned with spices.
3. Vegetable Filling: Sautéed mixed vegetables like carrots, peas, and beans with spices.
4. Cheese Filling: Grated cheese for a cheesy twist.

Instructions:

Preparing the Dosa Batter: Follow the steps for preparing the dosa batter as described in the previous response.

Making Dosa Snacks:

1. Heat the Tawa Place a non-stick or cast-iron dosa tava or a flat pan on the stove. Heat it on medium-high heat. The tava should be hot but not smoking.
2. Grease the Tawa: Grease the hot tava with a little ghee or oil.
3. Ladle the Batter: Pour a ladleful of dosa batter onto the center of the tawa. Use the back of the ladle to spread the batter outward in a circular motion, creating a thin, even layer.
4. Drizzle Ghee or Oil: Drizzle a little ghee or oil around the edges of the dosa and a little on top for extra flavor.
5. Add Filling: For each dosa snack, you can add your choice of filling. Place the filling of your preference in the center of the dosa.
6. Cook the Dosa: Cook the dosa until the edges turn golden brown and crisp, and the center is fully cooked. The filling should also heat through.
7. Fold or Serve Flat: You can fold the dosa over the filling to create a stuffed dosa or serve it flat.
8. Serve: Remove the dosa from the tava and serve it hot. You can serve it with coconut chutney, sambar, or any other accompaniments you like.

By adding a filling to your dosa, you can create a more substantial and satisfying snack that's perfect for Diwali celebrations. Guests can enjoy a variety of dosa snacks, each with a different filling, to make your Diwali gathering even more special.

Sweet Dosa For Diwali:

Sweet dosa, also known as Sweet Appam or Sweet Paniyaram, is a delectable South Indian dessert that can be a delightful addition to your Diwali menu. This sweet treat is loved for its unique flavor and texture. Here's how to prepare sweet dosa for Diwali:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1/4 cup powdered jaggery (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 cup grated coconut
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Ghee or oil for cooking
• Chopped nuts and raisins (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Batter:
• In a mixing bowl, combine rice flour, powdered jaggery, grated coconut, cardamom powder, and a pinch of salt.
• Gradually add water to make a smooth batter. The consistency should be similar to dosa batter.
2. Fermentation:
• Allow the batter to rest for 2-3 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the batter to ferment slightly.
3. Add Baking Soda:
• After fermentation, add baking soda to the batter and mix well. The baking soda helps the sweet dosa puff up.
4. Heat the Appam Pan or Paniyaram Pan:
• Grease the molds of an appam pan or a paniyaram pan with ghee or oil.
5. Pour the Batter:
• Pour a spoonful of the batter into each mold of the pan. Fill each mold to about three-fourths full.
6. Cook the Sweet Dosa:
• Cover the pan with a lid and cook on medium heat. The sweet dosa will puff up and turn golden brown on the bottom.
7. Flip and Cook:
• Flip the sweet dosas using a skewer or a spoon to cook the other side until it's golden brown.
8. Serve:
• Once both sides are cooked and the sweet dosas are crispy and golden, remove them from the pan.
9. Garnish (Optional):
• You can garnish sweet dosas with chopped nuts, raisins, a sprinkle of powdered jaggery, grated coconut, or even a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness.

Sweet dosa is a delightful Diwali dessert that's slightly crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and infused with the delightful sweetness of jaggery and coconut. It's a perfect way to end your Diwali meal on a sweet note and delight your guests with its unique flavor and texture. 

Dosa Bites For Diwali:

Dosa bites are a delightful and bite-sized version of the traditional South Indian dosa. They make for a great snack or appetizer option, especially for gatherings and celebrations like Diwali. 

Here's how to make dosa bites:

Ingredients:

• Dosa batter (you can use the same dosa batter as in the previous responses)
• Ghee or oil for greasing and cooking
• Chopped vegetables (optional for filling, e.g., bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes)
• Grated cheese (optional for added flavor)
• Chopped coriander leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Paniyaram Pan:
• Grease a paniyaram pan with ghee or oil and heat it on medium-high heat.
2. Pour the Dosa Batter:
• Pour a small amount of dosa batter into each mold of the paniyaram pan. Fill each mold to about halfway.
3. Add Filling (Optional):
• If you'd like, you can add chopped vegetables or grated cheese to the center of each dosa bite for added flavor.
4. Cook the Dosa Bites:
• Cover the pan with a lid and cook the dosa bites until the edges turn golden brown and crisp, and the center is fully cooked. The filling, if added, should also cook through.
5. Flip and Cook (Optional):
• If you've added a filling and prefer the dosa bites to be fully enclosed, flip each bite and cook the other side until it's golden brown.
6. Garnish (Optional):
• Garnish the dosa bites with chopped coriander leaves or any other garnish of your choice.
7. Serve:
• Remove the dosa bites from the pan and serve them hot. They can be served plain or with your favorite chutneys or dips.

Dosa bites are a fun and tasty snack that you can customize with various fillings and toppings. They are perfect for entertaining guests during Diwali or for enjoying as a family snack. The small, bite-sized portions make them convenient to serve and eat.

Best Cookware to Make Dosa:

The best cookware for making dosa could be between a non-stick dosa tawa or a cast iron tawa. When selecting a non-stick dosa tawa, consider the size that suits your needs, with a diameter of 12 to 14 inches being standard. Make sure it has a sturdy handle for easy flipping and handling.

You can buy Circulon Non-Stick + Hard Anodized Aluminium Flat Dosa Tawa, 28 Cm, which is designed to facilitate a hassle-free cooking experience.

If you are looking for a pre-seasoned cast iron dosa tawa then Meyer Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Flat Dosa Tawa, 28 Cm, Black could be a perfect choice for you. The dosa tawa is sturdy, beautifully designed and comes with a lifetime warranty.