29 December 2009

WIPGYOR series: Yellow is for Khaman Dhokla

I used to enjoy dhokla once in a while in India. Especially when it came with the typical Gujarathi chutneys made from papaya and green chillies..yum!

Ever since we came to Canada, I have tried out several recipes to make a soft, spongy dhokla but all have been utter failures. Results have ranged from hard-as-a-rock dhoklas to started-as-spongy-but-lost-the-way-midway dhoklas. In fact, I had given up on the idea of ever making good dhokla at home. That is, until I came across Chefinyou's recipe. The recipe is a really simple one and with Chefinyou's detailed instructions and pictures, you just cant go wrong. Click here for the original recipe. I am not reiterating the recipe here as I followed it pretty much word for word and Chefinyou's instructions are really superb!

Here are some pictures of the dhokla as I made it:

Step 1: Mix besan (chickpea flour), yogurt, water and baking soda to form a smooth batter. I let it rest for about 45 mins.



Step 2: Add some lime juice, oil, salt, sugar, green chili paste and turmeric powder to the batter. Mix well.

Step 3: Heat water in a pressure pan. Once the water begins to boil, add eno to the batter and immediately set in to steam in the pan (without the whistle). after about 10 mins, my dhokla looked liked this.

Step 4: Make the tadka (tempering) using mustard seeds, green chillies, curry leaves, oil and water.



Step 5: Pour the tadka on the dhokla. Let it cool.


Step 6: Cut into bite-sized pieces, admire the sponginess for a moment and then EAT UP!!


See how spongy it turned out? I was so delighted!!

Will be back tomorrow with the orange recipe.

Take care,

V

11 comments:

Ms.Chitchat said...

wow, lovely recipe. I love Kaman, but as you rightly pointed out, could not get the right texture at home. Yours looks absolutely gorgeous I should say. Kaman at home this evening :):)

Chitchat
http://chitchatcrossroads.blogspot.com/

Radhika said...

Hi Vinaya, The dhokla looks so good, I have bookmarked it for trying out!

http://soupanddessert.blogspot.com

Vinaya said...

Ms.Chitchat,
Thanks for your lovely encouragement..trust me, this is one-heck-of-a-dhokla recipe!

Radhika,
Do try it out..it turned out superbly spongy.

Mona said...

Back home we always used to savor freshly prepared Dhokla which was only available ready made at bakeries in Hyderabad in the mornings. Your post brought back all those memories.

zaiqa.net

notyet100 said...

lovely colour,..feel like preaparing this now,..wish u happy ne wyr 2010,..

Kanchan said...

Oh !! are these Dhoklas so easy !! This is my husbands favorite and till now I tried preparing these with the readymade Mix you get in market, and it gave me not so fluffy dhoklas !
thanks for lovely step wise recipe !

Sheetal Kiran said...

What spectacular photos, Vinaya! And the one where it's cooked ... it's looks soooo spongy, soft and perfect, I feel like touching it! Bookmarking this for a potluck Im going for tomorrow :D

Anonymous said...

ooh- I love how this looks and I am craving some!

Lavanya

Perspectivemedley said...

Wow nice dhokla!.. looks soft and good! :).. and a beautiful blog!!

Purple Rain said...

i am gonna try this...i hv had several unsucessful attempts at dhokla...will let u know

Vinaya said...

Definitely Symlene, let me know how it turns out!