Adai is a flavorful Indian dish that captures the essence of traditional home cooking. This family recipe is passed down through generations and remains a cherished part of Indian culinary culture.
Rinse the rice and dals together under cold water, then soak them in enough water for at least 3 hours.
Drain the soaked rice and dals. Add them to a blender with dried red chilies, ginger, and cumin seeds. Grind to a coarse batter using minimal water for a thick consistency.
Transfer batter to a large bowl; stir in asafoetida, salt, chopped onion, and cilantro. Rest the batter for 15 minutes.
Heat a cast-iron or nonstick griddle over medium heat. Lightly brush with oil. Pour a ladle of batter at the center and spread into a thick pancake about 6 inches wide.
Drizzle oil around the edges and cook the adai over medium heat until golden and crisp on the bottom (about 3–4 minutes), then flip and cook the other side for 2–3 minutes. Serve hot with coconut chutney.