Dhokla!!! is one of my favorite since childhood. I remember when we used to go to Sangli a place in Maharashtra for Diwali shopping my mom used to buy it for us. It was just for Rs.3 a packet with 6-7 small Dhokla's with fried Mirchi. It used to taste awesome, in fact its still available now. might the prize is increased to 10 or so. That was "The Dhokla" taste that I ever have in my mind. If we google now, there are many ways of preparing it! using Rava (Semolina), curd, etc etc.. The one that I prepare is using very minimal number of ingredients, its instant and all you need is Besan peeth (Gram flour) and a Eno packet as main ingredients, the rest of all are available in every kitchen. I haven't tried the Dhokla yet with Semolina or with curd, will surely try someday :). Here is the procedure on how preparing this simple instant "Dhokla".
Gram flour - 1 cup
Water - 1 cup
Salt - pinch of
Sugar - 1/2 tsp
Green chilli - 1-2 finely chopped
Ginger - 1/2 inch piece - grated
Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
Eno powder - 3/4 tsp
Coriander - For Garnish
Oil - 1tsp
Lemon juice - 1 1/2 tsp
Dhokla Chutney
Oil - 2 tbsp
Mustard - 1 1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Red chilli powder - 1 1/2 tsp
Procedure:
1. In a mixing bowl add gram flour, grated ginger, chopped green chilli and turmeric powder. Mix together.
2. Take 1/4 cup of water in a cup add sugar, and salt. Stir it with a spoon until it get dissolved.
3. Add this water into the bowl containing flour.
4.Mix well, add water little by little until it become smooth paste. Do not add much water. Add lemon juice and mix well.
5.Meanwhile heat pressure cooker on little more than medium flame adding little amount of water into it and placing a small plate inside the cooker to make sure that the Dhokla vessel does not directly touch the cooker base.
6. Grease the cooker vessel with oil over all the sides and keep it aside.
7. Last step add the eno powder to the Flour mixture and stir well so that it forms a foamy batter. Stir well so that air gets incorporated into the flour.
8. Immediately pour this batter into the oil greased vessel and tap it.
9. Keep the vessel in pressure cooker, close the top. Do not forget to remove the cooker whistel.
10. Allow this to get cooked over high flame for around 10 mins and reduce the flame to medium for another 3-4 mins. Check the Dhokla's inserting toothpick if they are cooked well.
11. Allow the vessel to get cool down. First separate the Dhokla at the sides using knife and reverse the vessel on a plate so that it easily comes out.
11. Garnish this with coriander and Serve hot with chutney.
Dhokla Chutney:
Heat oil in a vessel, when heated add mustard, cumin seeds when it splutters add red chilli powder and a pinch of salt. Chutney is ready.
Notes:
- Do not add too much of water into the batter.
- Adjust eno quantity to form foamy batter.
- Adding too much of turmeric powder/eno might turn the Dhokla's to bitter taste.