Onion Paddu

Paddu is a savory dish made out of dosa batter using an Aapam or Aebliskever pan. I didn’t know it was called an Aebliskever pan until I googled it today. Typically this pan is used to make Danish pastry balls.

Mom usually made Paddu (aka Gunthapanganaalu in Telugu) whenever there was leftover Set dosa batter which has slightly turned sour. You could use other dosa batters but the taste won’t be the same. Mom has a pan which has different shapes like stars and crescents instead of only circles. So this made breakfast exciting as kids.

You will need:

2 cups leftover Set dosa batter ( click for recipe)

2 tsp Green chilli paste (fresh green chillies, ground)

1 tbsp Chana Dal, soaked in water for 2 hours

1 small Red onion, chopped

1 small carrot, grated

Oil, as required

Salt to taste

Special Equipment : Aapam pan (either cast iron or non-stick)

Mix all of the above ingredients and set aside for 15 minutes. Heat the aapam pan. If using a non-stick pan you don’t need oil, but if you are using a cast iron pan, add about ¼ tsp of oil to each cavity. Using a ladle pour batter into each cavity until filled. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 mins. Uncover and when the sides of each paddu are set, using a spoon flip each paddu to cook on the other side (insides). You will know when the sides are set by slowly running the spoon or spatula along the edges, if its sticky then it needs to cook longer,if its done it will come loose almost immediately.

Cook for 30 seconds or so on the other side and remove paddus from pan and serve immediately. This tastes best when eaten with coconut chutney. Repeat above steps to make more paddus.