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This month’s Daring Cooks Challenge was hosted by Debyi of Healthy Vegan Kitchen. She chose Indian Dosas from the reFresh: Contemporary Vegan Recipes from Award Winning Fresh Restaurants cookbook.
Let it be known – I generally don’t like Indian food. I think my dislike stems from not a lot of exposure to true Indian cuisine. So I made these dosas as sort of a “I need to try this” dish. I really like to try new things, so I was excited to try this, even if I wasn’t sure whether I would like it or not.
I’m really glad I only made 1/2 the recipe… because surprise, surprise – it wasn’t my thing. I really wish it was, honestly.
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Soaking dried chickpeas
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Because right after I made this, I watched an episode of Anthony Bourdain where he visits the five boroughs of New York City. (Have I mentioned how much I heart the Bourdain? No? I heart him. I love his dirty say-whatever-I-want attitude. Hot. Sorry… tangent.) In the episode, he visits the Ganesh Temple at the Hindu Temple Society of North America, which serves classic South Indian food in its cafeteria. And guess what? Dosas were on the menu! But they looked nothing like the dosas I made here, unfortunately. They were much thinner (thinner than a crepe – I wasn’t aware that was even possible) but they looked really tasty. A lot of things looked really tasty on that episode.
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The filling – this was actually really tasty. I’m imagining it on a sandwich, or as a dip for chips, mixed in with some tahini…
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After tasting the filling (two thumbs up – sort of a tomato-ey deconstructed hummus with extra veggies?) I determined that I was not a fan of the coconut curry sauce that was served on top of the dosas. So I’m not writing off all Indian food. In fact, if you have any good recipes, I’d love to try them out. Please leave me a link!
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Playing in the Kitchenette: Starfucker – Isabella of Castille Seriously. My love for this band knows no bounds.
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13 comments
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September 14, 2009 at 7:39 am
kat
good for you trying it even though you don’t like Indian food. I like it but after two weeks in India I don’t want to see another Indian dish for a long time
September 14, 2009 at 7:56 am
Sarah
Bummer that you didn’t care for this one! I may have to check out that book for this one, looks like it’s right up my alley!
September 14, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Cheri
I too was hoping to like the dish.. but it was fun to make anyways.
Great job on this challenge! I hope you find the Indian recipe of your dreams. 
September 14, 2009 at 6:23 pm
climbhighak
That dosa on the No Reservations episode looked so crispy and delicious. Cooking your own chickpeas is always the best way to go.
September 14, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Angela
I saw that Anthony Bourdain, too! I was very proud ’cause I’ve eaten in the Chinatown in Queens with a colleague of my mom’s. I’m sorry you didn’t like the end result, but bravo for trying!
September 14, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Simon
I imagine part of the problem is that this isn’t true Indian food, in the same way that sweet & sour pork or chop suey isn’t true Chinese.
I agree with your dislike for the coconut curry sauce. My least favourite part of the challenge.
September 14, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Mary
Your photos are terrific. I hope you enjoyed the dosas and the challenge.
September 14, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Lauren
Gorgeous job!! Your dosas look delicious =D. I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy it.
September 14, 2009 at 11:23 pm
lisamichele
I’ve actually had dosas that thin and they were also HUGE..brought to the table so you could rip off pieces and roll with various fillings that come with it.
That said, your dosas turned out lovely..very nicley done!
September 14, 2009 at 11:23 pm
lisamichele
Err..NICELY, I meant
September 15, 2009 at 4:08 pm
cuppy
Glad you were honest.
Your filling looks way better than mine did, maybe I’ll try doing my own chickpeas next time.
Think it’s a specific spice you don’t like maybe? (I have a friend who can’t eat cumin.) There are a couple Indian recipes on my website, if you’re interested.
September 16, 2009 at 7:41 pm
sarah
I wimped out and used canned chickpeas…your filling looks wonderful!
October 5, 2009 at 10:00 am
amy
hey carter — there is an amazing dosa restaurant in richmond. we’ll have to go when you’re back in town! love, amy