Dhokla (Steamed Spicy Chickpea cakes)

Dhokla (Steamed Spicy Chickpea cakes): Dhokla or 'Khummun' is a popular snack made from fermented batter of chickpeas. It's originally from the Western Indian state of Gujarat.


Serves: 2 to 4

Ingredients:

- 1 cup Chickpea Flour (Known as Besan; you can buy it at any Indian food store)
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- warm water as needed
- 1 tsp Ginger and green chilly paste
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp oil
- salt
- 1 tbsp of oil
- 1 tbsp finely chopped cilantro
- 1/2 tbsp of grated coconut
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- pinch of asafoetida
- 1/2 tsp turmeric


Preparation:

- Take the chickpea flour in a mixing bowl. Pour buttermilk and stir till the mixture is smooth.
- Put warm water as needed till the mixture is of pouring consistency(similar to cake batter).
- Keep the mixture overnight for fermentation.

- Next day put baking soda, salt and 1 tsp of oil.

- Put the Ginger chilly paste and mix the batter.
- Grease pan with oil and pour the mixture into it.
- Steam it for 15 min.
- If you are using a pressure cooker, do not put the whistle.
- Once ready, let cool. You can check if it's ready by inserting a toothpick or a knife in the center (It should come out clean).
- Cut them into pieces (the pieces are called 'Dhoklas').
- Take a pan, put 1 tbsp of oil in it and heat it.
- Once the oil is heated put the mustard seeds in it.
- After the mustard seeds finish sputtering put asafoetida and turmeric powder. Switch off the heat.
- Pour this mixture(tadka) over the Dhoklas.
- Garnish with Cilantro and grated coconut.
- Serve with green chutney.


*** Recipe of the Green chutney is available on the blog.