This is my favorite Indian grocer. Organized, clean, and helpful staff. There's also a great Indian cafe next door:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ginger-and-spice-market-alexandria

Or just buy the ready made batter at the Indian store.

Anonymous wrote:Thank you! Do I find the Poha at an Indian store and is there one store you like best?

Several types of poha at Indian store. Get the one with thicker flakes. Patels's is good.

There are two components to good dosa making - getting the batter right in terms off opposition and grinding and two, making nice thin crispy doses, controlling the heat etc. Get prepared better from the refrigerated cases in the Indian store and practice making the dosas.

Thank you! Do I find the Poha at an Indian store and is there one store you like best?

OP, I am a South Indian and Dosa's is a regular for us.

Here are the list of Indian grocery shops in DC : http://www.courtesyindia.com/usa/Indian/Grocery/locator.aspx?City=Washington,Washington%20DC

You don't need Idli Rice. You can use any white rice or one part white rice & one part brown rice. Soak a tsp of Fenugreek seeds and also 2 tsps of Poha (flattened rice).
Grind the batter to a smooth consistency. And then leave it overnight in a warm place.
Fenugreek seeds give the brown color. Poha makes the batter smooth.

For an easy option, In Indian grocery shops, you get Udad Dal flour and Rice Flour separately. Add 1 part of Udad dal flour to 2 parts of rice flour and add water & mix to get the pancake batter consistency.
Soak it overnight and you can use it for Dosa's. They come out good enough to eat.
Another easiest option is, You can find MTR or Priya Instant Dosa Mix, they also give good dosa's. Those two are authentic South Indian brands.

Try Peanut Chutney with Dosa's. It tastes yummy. Roast Peanuts. Add the peanuts, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 tsp of Cumin, 2 green chillies and required salt and grind it by adding water. You can add tamarind concentrate or lemon juice for a hint of tanginess.

Have you made dosas before?
If not, then get an instant dosa mix like Gits. You will get good results.
Idli rice and lentils are a available at any Indian store. I go to Patel Brothers in the College Plaza mall on Rockville Pike.
A gas stove is great for dosas since you can control temperatures nimbly. It is a little trickier with electric.
It can be also be tricky grinding the batter to the right consistency in a blender or food processor.

I got a pan as a gig but I did not realize the batter would be so complicated! Where can I get idli rice and skinless lentils locally? I am in NW DC but I will travel to a good Indian store if you know one...