Set Dosa with Saagu

Dosa is a versatile dish. Set Dosa with Saagu dish is like a couple made in heaven. They complement each other just perfectly. Set dosa is very spongy and soft in texture and is also known as Aval Dosa or Poha Dosa. The batter you get and the method to cook/roast is just like how we make the pancakes. While Saagu is a mixture of vegetables cooked in a thick textured curry where a blend of some interesting spices come together. It is one yummy curry!

Set dosa is similar to mushti pola (another Konkani style dosas) which is very soft and fluffy and has grated coconut ingredient in it. At home, my mom made it once in a while, as everyone loved Plain Dosas. My husband loves this combo so much that I am forced to make it and I prefer to have it for dinner instead of breakfast. It fits perfectly in the dinner menu. Filling and Yumilicious!!

So let us take a look at the Set Dosa Recipe and Saagu Recipe as well.

Set Dosa
Ingredients:

• 2 cups rice ( I use basmati because that is my staple rice)
• 1 cup parboiled rice of any kind
• 3/4 cup urad dal
• 3/4 cup thin poha (flattened rice)
• 1 tsp methi seeds
• salt as per taste
• 1/2 - 1tsp sugar (optional)
• oil for frying

Preparation:

 

• Soak all the ingredients (preferably separately) except salt and sugar (duhh :)) for 6-8 hours or overnight. Drain the water and transfer to the blender.
• Blend urad dal first by adding just enough water till it is immersed. Make a smooth paste and transfer it into a big bowl.
• Then in 2 parts add rice and soaked poha, grind and transfer to the urad dal paste. Mix everything nicely.
• Make the batter of pouring consistency not too thick nor running. Keep it in a warm place to ferment for good 8-12 hours.
• Just before you are ready to make set dosas, add salt and sugar to the batter. Mix properly.Pre-heat a tawa till it's really hot, pour 2 ladles of batter (do not spread the batter like we do for plain dosas) and leave it to cook gradually over medium heat. 
• Drizzle some oil along the edges and let it cook for 2 more minutes or till nicely roasted. You will notice bubbles formation on it(see pictures) just like pancakes.
• Flip the set dosa over (this is optional) and let it cook further for less than a minute or so till it is slightly roasted. 
• Serve hot with Coriander Chutney and Saagu or Sambar etc.

Saagu:

Ingredients:

• 2-3 cups cubed mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, peas, potatoes, capsicum)
• 1 onion chopped roughly (or cubed)
• few curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tbsp oil
• chopped coriander leaves for garnish

For the wet masala:

• 2 tbsp grated coconut
• 2 inch piece of ginger
• 1-2 tbsp coriander leaves
• 3-4 green chillis

For the dry masala:

• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• 1 tbsp coriander seeds
• 1″ cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 1 1/2 tbsps roasted channa dal

Preparation:

• In a blender make a smooth paste by adding the ingredients under wet masala. Keep aside.
• Then in a coffee grinder(maybe), make the powder using ingredients under dry masala. 
• Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add the onions and curry leaves and saute till transparent, just for a couple of minutes.
• Add the mixed vegetables and combine well. Add salt and turmeric pwd and cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Pour the wet ground masala paste, powdered dry spices masala and mix everything quickly. Add 1-1 1/2 cups of water, stir everything and pressure cook for 1 whistle, then simmer the gas and cook for 6-7 minutes. *
• Switch off the gas, and wait for the steam to be released.  Open the lid and your hot saagu is ready to be devoured. 
• Garnish it with cilantro leaves and serve with set dosa, poori, roti etc.

You may also like Idli Sambar, Rava Thalipeeth (Rava Bhakri), Tomato Omelette(Besan Chilla), Tomato Poori

njoY!! happY cookinG!!

Notes:* You can cook it in a regular pan too. First, cook the vegetables till 3/4th done, then add all the masalas, water and cook till done.

Health Benefits:
Dosa is a great source of complete protein for vegetarians as it is made of rice batter and urad dal (black gram lentil) Dosa contains healthy carbs which provide our body with the energy needed to carry out different functions. It is a good option for people on a weight loss diet as well. Cutting out carbs from your diet can make you lethargic, low on energy and also lead to depression in some cases. Protein is another essential nutrient required by our body. It keeps us full for longer as it slowly releases energy and also helps make our hair, bones, and muscles stronger. Lentils used in the Dosa helps us with that. It is a low-calorie dish. Saagu is a dish with healthy vegetables providing all adequate nutreints, minerals, and vitamins.

Saagu recipe adapted from Sailus Kitchen.