The fusion of innumerable spices is reflected in the culture of South India. As one of its most popular dishes, dosa is a delicious staple that is consumed in multifarious ways. In this guide, we will explore all the facts on kara dosa vs masala dosa and give you an insight into their conspicuous flavors.
What Is Kara Dosa?
Kara dosa is a slightly spicier version of the traditional masala dosa. You must be wondering then what is kara masala dosa? Kara masala dosa has the same meaning as kara dosa which infuses a number of ground spices and herbs in the crepe. Both these terms are used interchangeably.
Kara dosa is pretty easy to make due to its simple ingredients that are readily available online. The batter of kara dosa usually has a thicker consistency so that the dosa has a crispy texture. The name Kara which literally translates to ‘spicy’ has an ingredient that gives it its spicy taste. Along with the usual ingredients–Urad dal, Chana dal, Moong dal, and tool dal–some red chilies are also added to the batter.
What Is Masala Dosa?
Masala dosa is a variation of dosa that comes with a spiced potato and onion filling. So, what’s the difference between a dosa and masala dosa? Dosa is a crepe-like delicacy made from fermented rice and lentils. On the other hand, masala dosa is a crispy crepe stuffed with a spicy potato filling.
Masala dosa is a flavorful alternative to the regular dosa but it does contain more calories. Neha Chandna, a certified nutritionist shares the benefits of consuming dosa which is a great source of protein for vegetarians. Whether you consume it on its own or pair it with the aromatic and seasoned potato filling, there are more benefits than downsides.
Why Is Masala Dosa Called Masala Dosa?
Masala dosa is a staple in many South Indian restaurants. Masala translates to a mixture of ground spices and dosa is a crepe-like dish. Masala dosa is primarily made from rice, lentils, potato, and curry leaves and served with a side dish like chutneys and sambars.
The dish finds its origins in the Tuluva Udupi cuisine of Karnataka. Moreover, there are other varieties of dosas that have powerful flavors.
You can indulge in the flavors of Mysore dosa, Rawa dosa, and Neer dosa. Mysore dosa is similar to masala dosa except for a garlic-red chili chutney that is smeared across the dosa before the potato filling. We recommend checking out our blog post on Mysore dosa vs masala dosa to know more about the similarities.
Kara Dosa Vs Masala Dosa: Are They Similar?
Kara dosa (also known as Adai dosa) and masala dosa have their individual appeal among dosa lovers. Then, how is kara masala dosa different from masala dosa? The main difference between kara masala dosa and masala dosa is that kara dosa has a slightly spicier crepe that infuses the richness of red chilies which is usually served with a coconut or garlic chutney. Masala dosa has a potato filling inside which enriches its taste.
Masala dosa is one of the most popular breakfast dishes in Indian households and it is consumed in different ways.
To know more about the different types of dosas, check out our articles on paper masala dosa vs masala dosa and sada dosa vs masala dosa.
Kara Dosa Vs Masala Dosa: The Differences
While kara dosa has a spicy flavor, masala dosa has a thinner crepe with flavorful potato filling infused with ground spices. Let’s look at the differences between kara dosa vs masala dosa in detail below.
Taste
From the crunchy outer covering to the potpourri of fillings inside, masala dosa usually has a distinctive taste. Masala dosa has a flavorful filling which is made by tempering potatoes in ground spices and herbs like curry leaves and fenugreek seeds. It is not as spicy as kara dosa and it usually has a crispier and thin crepe.
In comparison, kara dosa usually is served without any fillings inside as the spices and herbs are infused with the dosa batter. This makes it extremely aromatic and delicious and the dosa looks slightly reddish in color.
Calories
When it comes to kara masala dosas’ calories, it is comparatively less due to the absence of spiced potato filling. Kara masala dosa has 114 calories while masala dosa contains as many as 341 calories in one serving.
Nutrition
Since kara dosa has ingredients that are rich in protein like toor dal, urad dal, and chana dal, it is a nutritious addition to your diet. Multigrain masala dosa is the perfect balance between nutrition and taste according to Chef Sanjeev Kapoor.
Since it comes with a potato filling, it can be quite appetizing for people who want to consume a good protein source and indulge in its flavor as well.
Methods Of Preparation
Both kara dosa and masala dosa are more or less prepared in the same way. For the dosa batter, raw rice, parboiled rice, toor dal, chana dal, moong dal, and raw red chilies are soaked in water overnight or 4-6 hours. Drain the excess water and blend it with jeera in a wet grinder. Add salt and mix it well after the paste has a fine consistency.
To make crisp dosas, you’ll need to take a spoonful of the batter and spread it clockwise on a dosa pan. Sprinkle oil around the edges and serve hot with spicy chutney. Watch this video showing how to make kara dosa in detail.
For masala dosa, follow the directions below:
- Soak your raw rice, lentils, and poha in three different bowls.
- After grinding the ingredients in a blender, let it ferment for 4-6 hours.
- For the potato filling, boil potatoes and cut them into cubes. Saute urad, dal, chana dal, mustard seeds, and cumin seeds in a pan.
- Add grated ginger, sliced onions, green chilies, curry leaves, and cubed potatoes, and cook it well.
- Prepare the dosa batter in the same way and add filling to it.
Serve with coconut chutney or sambar.
Which Is The Best Type Of Dosa?
The best type of dosa depends on your preference and dietary needs. If you are watching your weight then the kara dosa is a better choice but if you prefer your dosa to be more flavorful, masala dosa is the perfect pick-me-up food for you!
