Dhokla

My husband has been asking me to prepare Dhoklas for quite sometime. Dhoklas are a popular Gujarati snack and one of his favourites . I was forgetting his request and when he started to complain, finally I thought of making them yesterday :)  I have never made them and I have tasted it just once or twice, so I didn't have much idea about them. So I searched for an easy recipe and I liked the one at Rak's Kitchen. Her simple recipe and explanations inspired me to prepare the Dhoklas. The original recipe uses Eno fruit salt and it was mentioned that baking soda can be used instead. Since I didn't have the Eno fruit salt, I used the soda. I surprised my husband yesterday with these when he came from office. They came out soft, fluffy and delicious, ofcourse my husband enjoyed them :).

View the original recipe at Rak's Kitchen here.

What you need?

1 cup Gram flour/Besan

1/2 cup Yoghurt

1" piece Ginger

2-3 Green chillies

1 tsp Sugar

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Lemon juice

1/2 tsp Baking soda

A pinch Turmeric powder

2 tbsp shredded Coconut

few Coriander leaves

1/2 cup Water

1 tsp Oil

1/2 tsp Mustard seeds

1/4 tsp Asafoetida

How to prepare?

Grind  green chillies and ginger by using about 1/4 cup water to a smooth paste. Mix besan, ground paste, yoghurt, lemon juice, sugar, salt and rest of the water. It should be a smooth batter.

Grease a bowl with oil on all sides. Pour a little water in the pressure cooker and heat it. When the water is about to boil, add the baking soda to the batter and mix well. Pour it into the greased bowl. Close this bowl with a lid and place carefully inside the pressure cooker. Close the cooker and steam without keeping the weight on the top.

Steam for about 10-15 minutes. Insert a knife to see if it comes out clean. Remove the bowl from cooker and allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes. Carefully invert to a plate and cut into shapes as you desire.

Heat oil in a pan, splutter mustard seeds. Add asafoetida and mix. Spread this tempering on the cut pieces. Garnish with coconut and coriander leaves. Serve with Mint chutney or Coriander chutney.

Notes:

* You can use 1.5 tsp  Eno fruit salt instead of soda.

* Do not use more water than mentioned.

* The chutney should be very spicy to enjoy with the Dhokla.