After Azhagar Kovil Dosa, we have for Alphabet B (in the A-Z Dosa series). Black Rice Adai or Kavuni Arisi Adai. Black Rice a.k.a forbidden rice became popular in the east, but our own Chettinad Cuisine uses this rice in a very delicious sweet. As with most Adai (thick lentil-based Dosa), this Adai too has a lot of proteins and very little rice.
What is Kavuni Arisi Adai | Black Rice Dosa?
Black Rice dosa or Kavuni Arisi Adai is a Gluten Free, Vegan Dosa made with Black rice or Forbidden Rice. Served for breakfast or brunch with chutney

As I wanted to experiment with Black rice, I tried with a small quantity and was well received by the spouse who liked the nuttiness which came with the black rice. I have had black rice salad as well as a cooked black rice + Thai Red curry Combo (both recipes coming soon !), so I personally liked the glutinous black rice.
It's worth a try once if one is open to experimenting with new cuisines / ingredients.
Similar Adai / Dosa varieties on the blog:




Let's get to the recipe now. This is again a fermented Adai (thick Dosa).
Black Rice Adai ~ Kavuni Arisi Adai ~ #26daysofDosa ~
Vegan and Gluten Free Indian style savoury pancake.
Served with Raw turmeric-Ginger Chutney
Ingredients: ( 1 cup = 200 ml)
- Black Rice - 1 cup
- Raw Rice (any short grained variety will do) - ½ cup
- Toor Dal (tuvaram Paruppuy in tamil) - ½ cup
- Channa Dal / Bengal Gram / Kadalai Paruppu - ¼ cup
- Masoor Dal - ¼ cup
- Salt - to taste
toppings:
- Chopped Coriander leaves - 1 TBSP
- Hing / Asafoetida - ⅛ tsp
- Turmeric - ¼ teaspoon (opt.)

Method to make Black Rice dosa or Kavuni Arisi Adai
- Wash and Soak the lentils together for 4-6 hours or even overnight. Grind together to a smooth paste. Add salt , mix well.
- You may prepare the dosa immediately or let it ferment on the countertop for 2-3 hours (I did the latter).
To prepare the dosas:
- Add the toppings to the dosa batter, heat the tava to medium hot, grease it well.
- Pour a thick batter, and drizzle oil around it till its cooked on both sides
- (You may also spread it think like a normal dosa if required - the cooking time per dosa would vary)
- Serve immediately. We had with Raw turmeric-Ginger Chutney


Black Rice Adai | Kavuni Arsi Adai | Vegan and Gluten Free
Equipment
- Skillet
- Ladle
- Wet Blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup Black Rice Kavuni Arisi / Forbidden rice
- ½ cup Raw Rice any short grained variety will do
- ½ cup split pigeon pea Toor dal / tuvaram Paruppu in tamil
- ¼ cup Bengal Gram Channa dal / Kadalai Paruppu
- ¼ cup split red lentils Masoor dal
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Coriander leaves
- ⅛ teaspoon Asafoetida skip for GF
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric opt.
Instructions
- Wash and Soak the lentils together for 4-6 hours or even overnight. Grind together to a smooth paste. Add salt , mix well.
- You may prepare the dosa immediately or let it ferment on the countertop for 2-3 hours (I did the latter).
- Add the toppings to the dosa batter, heat the tava to medium hot, grease it well.
- Pour a thick batter, and drizzle oil around it till its cooked on both sides
- (You may also spread it think like a normal dosa if required - the cooking time per dosa would vary)
- Serve immediately. We had with Raw turmeric-Ginger Chutney






Sowmya :) says
I have never tried black rice....you are making a very tempting case for it! Yum yum!
Shobha Keshwani says
Lovely adai variation made with black rice. Healthy option too. I will give it a try soon.
Kalyani says
Black rice surely is a great option, do try it shobha
Mayuri Patel says
I definitely have to order some black rice as I am so tempted to try out this healthy and am sure tasty adai.Like how you've mentioned that we can prepare the adai immediately after grinding or leave it for 2-3 hours.
Kalyani says
thank you, Mayuri. Fermentation for atleast an hour esp in hot weather would definitely aid digestion too! do try
Archana says
I am checking out black rice online even as I comment on this dosa, Kalyani. Definitely will love to use some for dosa. Sounds yum especially for a wonderful breakfast.
Kalyani says
yay ! that's great archana. you can also make a mean salad with salad greens and boiled black rice- tastes yum
Sujata Roy says
Black rice adai sounds wonderful. Definitely a healthy treat. Dosa looks super tempting. I love to use black rice in my food in different ways. So saving this recipe.
Kalyani says
that's so good to know, Sujata!
Rinku Bhattacharya says
This recipe looks so interesting. I have some black rice sitting around, and think this will be a perfect way to use some of it.
Kalyani says
yay! am sure you will love it
Priya Vj says
Nice and healthy adai . Have never experimented with black rice as i wasn't sure of the outcome. Think this recipe will be an easy way to start
Kalyani says
yeah do give it a shot. The texture and colour takes a bit getting used to, but its tasty n healthy too!
Jayashree T.Rao says
Adai are one protein rich breakfast. I have never used black rice, must buy it sometime. Will check in the super market next time Kalyani.
Kalyani says
thank you. DO check it out Jayashree
Mina Joshi says
What a clever idea of making adai by mixing two type of rice and several different lentils. This would be great for breakfast or dinner. love it.
Kalyani says
it sure is, Mina. Adais are nutritious and filling being full of lentils and some rice
Seema Sriram says
I make kavuni adai each time I get black rice. We love it at home. I make a khara adai version slightly different. but always happy to have another one to try.
Kalyani says
Thanks.....and I am sure to check out your adai soon, Seema!