Dhokla

Dhokla is a very famous recipe from Gujarat. I have recently become a great fan of it and I cook this almost on all weekends for breakfast. Though the authentic dhoklas are made of rice and daal, here is the version with besan/chickpea flour -


Ingredients-
3 cups of Besan (chick pea flour)
1 cup of beaten Yogurt
1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
1 inch Ginger, grated
3-4 chopped Green chillies
2 tbsp Eno fruitsalt
1 cup Water
Salt to taste


For seasoning,
2 tbsp Oil
1 tsp Mustard seeds
4 slit Green chillies
1 tsp Sesame seeds
2 tbsp Grated coconut
1 tbsp Sugar
8 sprigs of finely chopped Cilantro


Method -
1. Mix besan with well beaten yogurt, turmeric powder, ginger and green chillies. Add salt to taste and allow the mixture to rest for about 10 mins.
2. After 10 mins, add eno fruit salt and mix the batter well so that there are no lumps. Add water if required to bring it to dosa batter consistency.
3. Grease a thick plate with depth with little oil and pour the batter into the plate, leaving some space for the batter to rise.
4. Steam the batter in a stock pot/pressure cooker with 1.5 inches boiling water for 15 mins. If using a pressure cooker, do not put place the weight/whistle.
5. Meanwhile for the seasoning, heat the oil in a pan and add mustard seeds.
6. When mustard seeds splutter, add the sesame seeds, slit green chillies and turn off the stove.
7. Dissolve the sugar in 1/4 cup of water. Sprinkle this over the dhokla.
8. Pour the seasoning mixture on the plate of dhokla and sprinkle grated coconut and cilantro.
9. Cut the dhoklas into squares and serve them hot with tomato ketchup or chutney.


Enjoy your dhoklas as breakfast or a quick evening snack :)


Tips -
1. You can use Semolina/Rava/Suji instead of besan for making rava dhoklas.
2. Dhoklas can be steamed in idli plates instead (Different shape for a change)
3. Eno Fruit salt makes the batter foamy, it is added to make the dhoklas rise and give it a nice texture.