Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Dhokla

I had not been a fan of dhokla untill 31st December, 2008. Ya, I am pretty sure about the date because that day I paid an unplanned visit to my mom's cousin in Bhopal. All thanks to Indian Railways to have messed with my ticket that made me jump of the moving train. Well the train had just left the platform and wasn't in full speed, else I wouldn't be writing this post right? Oh no, this is not what you think, not a suicidal attempt. Trust me, the very thought of it, still leaves my knees fellowshipping. But in a way it was good to have spent a new year and bond with relatives, who otherwise would have most probably been more familiar to me just by their names.



Anyways, getting back to dhokla - Alphonse aunty, who came to my rescue, made these at home and I must say that the taste of dhokla is still hanging around on my tastebuds.


I tried these for tea one day and they came out well and I ate my stomach full while I went about narrating the entire story again to Jacob. Meanwhile, Jacob was focused on what was served for him as he was having it for the first time and was more curious to know the ingredients and the process involved in making it. I know, you guys too would be more interested in knowing the recipe right? So here it is.




Ingredients


For the Dhokla

  1. 1 1/2 cup of besan/chickpea flour 
  2. 1/4 tsp of turmeric powder
  3. 1/2 tsp of lemon juice
  4. 3/4 tsp of salt
  5. 1/4 tsp of asafoetida
  6. 1 tsp of green chilly paste
  7. 3/4 cup of water
  8. 3/4 tsp of baking soda
For tempering and garnishing of Dhokla
  1. 1 tsp of mustard seed
  2. 1 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds
  3. 1 tsp of sugar
  4. 1/2 tsp of lemon juice
  5. 1 tbsp of oil
  6. 1/4 cup of water
  7. Curry leaves
  8. Green chilly - split into half and sliced
  9. 2 tbsp of chopped coriander leaves

Method
  • Grease a pan with oil, that could be inserted into the pressure cooker to steam cook the dhokla
  • Prepare the pressure cooker to steam up the dhokla batter.
  • In a bowl, mix all the ingredients listed under preparation of dhokla, except the baking soda. Make a thick batter that is not too runny. Add in the baking soda to it gently. The batter would rise.
  • Add the risen batter to the greased pan and steam cook it in the pressure cooker for about 8-10 mins untill a toothpick or knife inserted comes out clean. Remove it from the stove and let it stand for another minute.
  • Meanwhile, we could prepare the tempering. Heat the oil. Once hot, drop in the mustard seeds and let it pop. Then add the cumin seeds and let it fry lightly. Do not burn it. Then add the curry leaves, green chilly, lemon juice and sugar and fry it.
  • Add the water gently to it. Let it come to a boil. Remove it from heat and pour it all over the dhokla. 
  • Spread the chopped coriander leaves on top of it and slice the dhokla into cubes. Serve it hot with some tamarind or coriander chutney or Chana Dal Chutney.

Tips
  1. Be very careful when you add water to the tempering, else it might splitter and might cause burns.
  2. You could also include sesame seeds for tempering.





14 comments:

  1. First time here..luv ur blog name.Dhokla luks tempting and calls me "Common"

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  2. Tempting dhoklas. Easy to make too.. It is just 6 in the morning and you are making me hungry now. :)

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  3. jumping on a moving train??? :o u must be crazy... anyway, Alhamdulillah u r alive and that's what matters... the dhoklas looks delicious... I loved the way u described ur hubby thinking what was there in it... yeah, men are like that... their attention is always elsewhere... hehe...

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  4. Fluffy & tempting dhoklas...you made it so perfectly dear...

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    Replies
    1. I haven't made this yet, but had it several times :). It sounds simple to prepare.
      So how is baby & Mom doing? Hope you are getting enough sleep

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  6. Wish i get that plate rite now, super tempting dhoklas.

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  7. I have done train adventure too...but it was for getting on, dilwale dulhaniya style except that there was no one to get me inside :p will never do that again though.
    I tasted it from Gujju friends but never made it myself, feeling hungry seeing that.

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  8. looks so tasty and perfect and fluffy doklas.. though i am not a great fan of this dish..

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  9. dhokla looks eye catching...never tasted it..

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  10. Even I dint liked Dhokla much when I used to hav them at shops. I dont why, for some reason they pour in a lot of syrup on top. And I dont like mixing up sweet and sour flavours. I now make Dhokla at home, and just add teeny bit of sweetness, and really really love them :D :D

    Usually I prepare Rava Dhoklas.. have to give these a try Anupa ! :)

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