Soft vegetable crepes

Soft vegetable crepes

Main dishes

Uthapams are thick, fluffy pancakes from southern India, typically filled with fresh vegetables. Serve hot with coconut chutney.

Enlarge photo
↓ Jump to recipe

Uttapam are a popular traditional Indian dish, similar to idlis and dosas, but thicker and softer. Topped with vegetables, they are perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Ingredients and directions

  • Prep time30 min
  • Cook time15 min
  • Resting14 hr
  • Total14 hr 45 min
  • DifficultyMedium
  • CostBudget
  • Cooking methodbread
  • Estimated cost$7.78 $1.30 / serving Estimated price; varies by store. Converted from euros at the ECB rate of October 7, 2026.

Ingredients

6 people
  • $1.09
  • $0.69
  • $0.77
  • $0.11
  • $0.22
  • $1.02
  • $2.09
  • $0.38
  • $1.16
  • $0.25

Prices from US supermarkets for 7 of 10 ingredients; Belgian prices for the rest.

Directions

  1. First, thoroughly wash the rice, lentils, and mustard seeds in separate containers. ≈ 2 min
  2. Next, combine the rice and lentils in one container, and the lentils and mustard seeds in another. ≈ 4 min
  3. Let the mixture soak for at least 6 to 8 hours, or even overnight, in water.
  4. Adding mustard seeds to the lentils speeds up the fermentation process and makes the dish more tender. ≈ 3 min
  5. Once the ingredients have been soaked, begin by blending the lentils and mustard seeds with a little water until you have a smooth and creamy paste. ≈ 4 min
  6. Next, mix the rice and sorghum together until you have a relatively smooth paste, but with some grains still visible. ≈ 4 min
  7. Then, mix the two doughs together. ≈ 4 min
  8. The consistency should be similar to that of pancake batter, neither too runny nor too thick. ≈ 3 min
  9. Then, add the appropriate amount of salt and mix well. ≈ 4 min
  10. Next, transfer the mixture to a large container and let it ferment at room temperature for 8 to 12 hours, or even overnight.
  11. In the summer, 8 hours is sufficient, while in the winter, it may take a bit longer.
  12. If the mixture has fermented properly, it will take on a large size, and small bubbles will appear on the surface. ≈ 3 min
  13. This fermentation process is what makes the final product softer and lighter. ≈ 3 min
  14. Thoroughly mix the ingredients for the filling. ≈ 4 min
  15. Next, in a separate bowl, finely chop the onions, tomatoes, chili peppers, carrots, bell peppers, and parsley. ≈ 4 min
  16. The more colorful and varied the filling, the more appealing the Uttapam will appear. ≈ 3 min
  17. Heat a metal pan or a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  18. Once it’s warm, add a small amount of oil paint and wipe the entire surface evenly with a dishcloth or paper towel. ≈ 3 min
  19. This will prevent food from sticking. ≈ 3 min
  20. Now, pour the dough into the pan and spread it evenly in a circular shape.
  21. Don’t make it as thin as an uttapam; instead, aim for a thickness of about half a centimetre. ≈ 3 min
  22. While you are spreading the dough, make sure that the fillings placed on top are evenly distributed, and gently press down with your hands or a spoon to ensure that the vegetables are fully submerged in the dough. ≈ 4 min
  23. After lightly brushing the top with oil paint, cover and bake at medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
  24. Once the underside has turned a golden-brown color and the top has dried, carefully turn it over. ≈ 3 min
  25. Cook the other side for 1 to 2 minutes as well.
  26. Once fully cooked, both sides will have a slightly golden color, and the inside will be tender. ≈ 3 min
  27. Similarly, prepare the remaining pancakes one at a time. ≈ 3 min
  28. Before cooking each pancake, wipe the pan again with a little oil paint.

The bill

Soft vegetable crepes

  • Rice (white rice or regular cooked rice): 2 cups$1.09
  • Black beans (black beans, without the skin): 1/4 cup$0.69
  • 2 tablespoons of hot pepper (optional)$0.77
  • Mustard seeds, half a teaspoon$0.11
  • Chopped onion: 1 medium-sized onion$0.22
  • Diced tomatoes, 1 medium$1.02
  • Freshly chopped chili peppers, 2 to 3 pieces$2.09
  • Grated carrots or diced carrots, about 1/4 cup$0.38
  • 3 tablespoons of chopped chives$1.16
  • Amount of oil paint needed (for cooking)$0.25

Total$7.78

that's $1.30 per person

Estimated price; varies by store.

Before you start

Ingredients

  • Rice (white rice or regular cooked rice): 2 cups
  • Black beans (black beans, without the skin): 1/4 cup
  • 2 tablespoons of hot pepper (optional)
  • Mustard seeds, half a teaspoon
  • To taste
  • Chopped onion: 1 medium-sized onion
  • Diced tomatoes, 1 medium
  • Freshly chopped chili peppers, 2 to 3 pieces
  • Grated carrots or diced carrots, about 1/4 cup
  • Pepper, diced, 1/4 cup (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons of chopped chives
  • Amount of oil paint needed (for cooking)

The screen stays on while cooking mode is open.

🎬 Have a video of this recipe? Suggest a YouTube link

Did you film this recipe, or do you know a video that shows it? Axelle watches it before adding it to the page.

Nothing is published before approval.

✏️ A mistake, an idea for this recipe? Suggest a correction

Reviews (0)

Rate this recipe Be the first to rate it!

Your rating