For Gujaratis, Dhokla is a very staple snack. Light and fluffy, full of flavor, and healthy too, it is indeed a perfect way to snack on food, or pack together in a picnic basket. You can relish it for breakfast with a cup of hot tea, or enjoy it on rainy evenings with some sizzling Coriander Chutney. Dhokla has a slight tanginess to its taste, thanks to the fermentation process involved. and the addition of fruit salt gives it the airiness and spongy texture that is so characteristic of the Dhokla. Finally, garnish it with some roasted fenugreek seeds, mustard seeds, white sesame seeds, or even some chili powder for a lip-smacking taste that you’ll surely enjoy!
[Recipe & photo courtesy of Chef In You]
Ingredients
Makes 4 servings
1-1/2 cups medium grained rice
1/2 cup split black gram (urad dal)
1/4 cup yogurt/curd, slightly beaten
1-2 green chillies, thinly sliced
10-12 whole peppercorns
1 tsp oil
1 tsp fruit salt (Eno)
1 -2 tsp of roasted sesame seeds,coarsely ground black pepper, for garnish
salt to taste
Method
Soak the rice and black gram separately, at least for 6-7 hours. Drain the rice and grind it in your processor until it becomes a paste. The texture will still feel coarse/grainy. Pour it out into a large bowl.
Next grind the black gram. Add water only if required. The texture of this is velvety and very smooth. Pour it into the same bowl with the rice batter. Add the yogurt/curd, salt , peppercorns and mix well. Ferment overnight.
The next day – add the sliced green chillies (or chilli paste) and oil . Mix well. Now sprinkle the 1 tsp of fruit salt over the batter and add 2 tsp of water over it (again sprinkle it on top). You will see the bubbles forming as a reaction to the fruit salt when in contact with water.
Take a thali (plate) which you are planning to use for steaming the dhokla. I used a Cake Pan since it fits well in my rice cooker and it was the only deep plate I have on hand. Though this is not necessary, I as a precaution additionally sprinkled a little bit of Fruit salt on the plate. You don’t have to do it per se. Keep the steamer ready – there should not be a delay after the fruit salt is added to the batter. When its ready, pour the batter into the plate.
Once the bubbles start, very gently stir the batter for the salt to get mixed well with the batter. Top it with the roasted seeds, powders etc. and steam for about 10 minutes or until a knife/skewer inserted in the middle (check in multiple places) comes out clean.
Let it cool for few minutes and then cut out pieces – diamond shaped or square – whatever strikes your fancy! Enjoy it with Tamarind/Mint chutney, or even Coconut Chutney, if you like!
