Kerala School Youth Festival: Why is 'protein dosa' served on its first day?

The Kerala School Youth Festival begins in Thrissur on Wednesday, and as always, renowned chef Pazhayidom Mohanan Namboothiri is in charge of its catering and dining services. On the very first day, he has something special in store for the dancers and other performers - protein dosa. Made with pulses, lentils, poha, and more, it is also known as Kokani Dosa. 

Here's what Mohanan Namboothiri has to say about it. "Dancers need energy to perform. That's why we have protein dosa along with our regular breakfast today." Around 4,000 Konkani dosas will be served on the opening day.  The dosa, also known as 'doddak,' 'surnali dosa' or 'polo,' comes in several varieties and is rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients. These dosas are generally served with chutney, vegetable, or fish curry. Many nutritionists also say that these dosas are gluten-free. 

Nutritious ingredients
While a regular South Indian dosa has rice and urad dal (black gram) as its main ingredients, Konkani dosa has many more nutritious ingredients, making it a multigrain variety. Mohanan Namboothiri's son and restaurateur Yadu Pazhayidom explains, "Konkani aka protein dosa is made with wheat, peanuts, sesame seeds, urad dal, horsegram and poha. It is a very thick, filling dosa. Generally, even those who eat a big meal can only consume about three dosas in a sitting. It's served with chutney."

At the youth festival, one protein dosa is served along with regular dosas, Yadu explains. A small protein dosa contains about 140 calories, if made with minimal oil. 
The Kerala School Youth Festival will be held from today till January 18 in Thrissur. It has around 239 events spread across 25 venues.