Have you ever tried dhokla? If not, you’re missing out on one of the most delicious and nutritious snacks from the Indian subcontinent. Dhokla is a versatile snack from Gujarat, India that can be served as a breakfast, snack, or even as a light dinner. It is a favorite of people all over India because of its taste, nutrition, and convenience. In this blog post, we are going to explore everything about dhokla, including traditional dhokla recipe, how to make dhokla in steamer, white dhokla recipe, and whether dhokla is healthy or unhealthy.
What Do We Say Dhokla in English?
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s answer the question, “What do we say dhokla in English?” Dhokla is a Gujarati term that does not have a direct English translation. It refers to a savory steamed cake that is made from a batter of gram flour, yogurt, and water. Dhokla has a soft, spongy texture and a tangy and sweet flavor.
Traditional Dhokla Recipe
The traditional dhokla recipe is made from a fermented batter that is steamed. The fermentation plays a crucial role in giving the dhokla its distinctive taste and texture. Here is a step-by-step recipe for making traditional dhokla:
Ingredients
- 2 cups gram flour
- 1 cup sour yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- A few curry leaves
- 1/2 cup water
Directions
- Take a large mixing bowl and add the gram flour and sour yogurt to it. Mix well.
- Add turmeric, salt, lemon juice, and water and whisk until the batter is smooth. Keep the batter aside for 30 minutes to an hour to ferment.
- After the batter has fermented, add baking soda and mix gently. The mixture will become light and fluffy.
- Pour the batter into a greased plate and keep it in a steamer. Steaming time may vary from 15-20 minutes, depending upon the size of the plate.
- Once the dhokla has been steamed, allow it to cool for a few minutes before removing it from the plate.
- In a separate pan, heat the oil and mustard seeds. Once the mustard seeds start to crackle, add sesame seeds, chopped green chilies and curry leaves. Sauté for a minute.
- Cut the dhokla into desired shapes and pour the prepared seasoning over it. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
Khaman Dhokla Recipe
Khaman dhokla is a popular variation of dhokla that is commonly served as a snack. Unlike traditional dhokla recipe, khaman dhokla is made from a batter that does not need fermentation. Here is how you can make khaman dhokla at home:
Ingredients
- 1 cup gram flour
- 1/4 cup rava or sooji
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger paste
- 1/2 teaspoon green chili paste
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- A few curry leaves
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup chopped coriander leaves
Directions
- In a mixing bowl, add gram flour, rava, ginger paste, green chili paste, salt, sugar, turmeric, lemon juice, and water. Whisk well to form a smooth batter.
- Grease a steaming plate and pour the batter into it.
- In a steamer, steam the plate with the batter for 15-20 minutes, until it is cooked.
- For the tempering, heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Allow the seeds to crackle.
- Add curry leaves and chopped green chilies, and sauté for a minute.
- Add water and sugar and let it come to a boil.
- Once the dhokla is cooked, remove from the steamer and allow it to cool down a little.
- Cut the dhokla into desired shapes and pour the seasoning over it. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
White Dhokla Recipe
Dhokla need not always be yellow in color. White dhokla, also known as Idada, is a plain dhokla that is made from a mixture of urad dal and rice. Here is a recipe for making white dhokla:
Ingredients
- 1 cup urad dal
- 1 cup rice
- 1/2 teaspoon fruit salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt to taste
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- A few curry leaves
Directions
- Soak urad dal and rice together for 4-6 hours.
- Grind the soaked urad dal and rice to make a smooth batter. Add water as required.
- Add salt to the batter and mix well.
- In a steamer, grease a steaming plate and pour the batter into it.
- Steam it for 15-20 minutes until it is cooked.
- Once cooked, remove from the steamer and allow it to cool.
- For the tempering, heat oil in a pan, add green chilies and curry leaves, and sauté for a minute.
- Cut the dhokla into desired shapes and pour the prepared seasoning over it.
Is Dhokla Healthy or Unhealthy?
The answer to whether dhokla is healthy or unhealthy depends on the ingredients used to make it. Dhokla made with gram flour, yogurt, and water is an excellent source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. The fermentation process increases the nutritional content of dhokla, making it a healthy food option. However, if dhokla is deep-fried or made with refined flour, it may not be as healthy.
Is Dhokla Sweet or Snack?
Dhokla is mostly a savory snack that has a tangy flavor. However, some variations of dhokla, such as the sweet dhokla, are sweeter in taste. Sweet dhokla is made by replacing the salt and chilies with sugar.
What Does Dhokla Taste Like?
Dhokla has a fluffy and spongy texture with a tangy and slightly sweet taste. The combination of gram flour, yogurt, and water gives dhokla a unique flavor that is loved by many.
In conclusion, dhokla is a delicious and versatile snack that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you like traditional dhokla recipe or want to experiment with white dhokla recipe, or prefer khaman dhokla recipe as a snack, the possibilities are endless. With its nutritional values and health benefits, dhokla is a must-try for anyone who loves Indian cuisine.