Spice Kitchen - Asian
Super Yummy Khaman Dhokla / Dhokra
Khaman Dhokla / Dhokra
Khaman dhokla is a famous snack sold in every street of Gujarat, but it is no longer restricted to that region -- it is readily available in every part of the country. In India people love these yummy dhoklas as a breakfast, snack or as a farsaan (savoury accompaniment) in the lunch or dinner menu.
It is best served with Tamarind and Mint-coriander Chutneys.
Not long ago we had an "Alternative Indian Xmas" where the Spice Kitchen team put on a 12 course Indian Taster / Tapas meal for our dearest friends. Surprisingly our friends chose Dhokla as their favourite course over Samosas, Bhajis, Bhel Puri and even Dosa!
Ingredients:
- 500 gms bengal gram flour (besan)
- 400 ml cup yoghurt (sour is best)
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp green chilli paste (add more if you like it spicier)
- 2 tsps sugar
- 1/2 tsp Spice Kitchen turmeric powder
- 1 tsp lime/lemon juice
- 2 tsps fruit salt/ baking soda
- Salt to taste
- For tempering: 2 tbsps vegetable/ canola/ sunflower cooking oil
- 1 tsp Spice Kitchen black mustard seeds
- 1 tsp Spice Kitchen sesame seeds
- 6-8 Spice Kitchen curry leaves
- 2 green chillies slit lengthwise
- 100 ml cup warm water
- For garnish: handful finely chopped fresh coriander leaves
Preparation:
- Sieve the gram flour. Mix it with the yoghurt and keep aside for 2 hours.
- Add the ginger and green chilli pastes, turmeric powder, salt to taste, lime juice and sugar and enough warm water to make a batter of pouring consistency. Mix well.
- Divide the batter into 3 equal portions.
- Prepare the steamer and grease a square/ rectangular pan to steam the dhokla in.
- Divide the fruit salt/baking soda into 3 equal portions and add one portion to a portion of the batter. Mix well. Pour this batter into the greased dish and put it into the steamer.
- Cook till done - when you touch the surface of the Dhokla your fingers should come away clean.
- Repeat with the remaining batter, adding the fruit salt/ baking soda to each batch of batter just before steaming.
- Allow the steamed Dhokla to cool slightly and cut into 2" squares.
- To temper, heat the oil in a wide, thick-bottomed pan and add the curry leaves, mustard and sesame seeds and green chillies. Fry till the seeds stop sluttering. Pour these into the warm water. Sprinkle this mixture all over the prepared Dhokla. Keep aside for 10 minutes.
- Garnish with the chopped coriander and serve with Tamarind or Mint Chutney.
Spice Kitchen sell the indian cooking utensil you need to make this. The Dhokla steamer is just £14.95 which will make your perfect Dhokla every time. See the link here.