Khaman Dhokla ~ Savoury Steamed Spongy Chickpea Flour Cake

I absolutely love Khaman Dhokla. Most of the time I make it with ready to use Dhokla mix. They are really a great time saver. But there are times when I run out of these instant packs. It was one of those occasions when I decided to make it from scratch. I have tried a lot of different recipes and I have finally zeroed on this one. It is really a simple and quick recipe.

Khaman Dhokla is a Gujarati snack but it popular through out India. The best thing about it is steamed and hence, is healthy and low calorie. So, even if your new year resolution says to stay away from fast food, you can relish this quick snack.

Recipe Source: Shveta's Cooking Blog

Khaman Dhokla ~ Savoury Steamed Spongy Chickpea Flour Cake

1 cup chick pea flour
2 tbsp sun flower oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
11/2 tbsp sugar
About 1/2 cup water
1 tsp Eno fruit salt

For tempering

1 tbsp oil
1 tsp mustard seeds
4-5 curry leaves
1-2 green chillies slit
1/2 tsp red chilli powder
2-3 tbsp water
2 tbsp sugar

For garnishing
Chopped coriander

Process:

1. In a large bowl add the chickpea flour, salt, sugar, oil and lemon juice. Stir and add water little by little to make a smooth thin batter (a little thinner than cake batter).
2. Place a large pan on heat. Add about a cup of water and a ring on which to place the pan for steaming Dhokla.
3. Grease a 8" sandwich cake tin with oil. Keep aside. Add Eno fruit salt to the batter and whisk lightly. The batter will increase in volume. Pour the batter in the prepared tin and place it in the pan of boiling water. Cover and steam for 12-15 minutes on medium heat. When done, a skewer inserted in the Dhokla will come out clean. Take it off heat and let it cool down.
4. Heat the oil for tempering. When hot, add the mustard seeds and curry leaves. When it splutters add the green chili and red chili powder. Take it off gas. Set aside.
5. Mix water, sugar and lemon juice. Add it to the tempering mixture. Spoon it over the cooled Dhokla  Sprinkle chopped coriander leaves. Serve with green chutney, sweet dates and tamarind chutney or tomato ketchup! Enjoy!

Note: You can also add some sesame seeds to the tempering and fresh shredded coconut for garnishing. I skipped it as I didn't have it at hand.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!

Besan ki Puri ~ Crispy Chickpea Flour Crackers

These 'besan ki puri' is my childhood favorite. It was one of those special breakfast mom used to make once in a while and each of us used to get no more than 2. Fresh off the pan and served with a hot cup of ginger tea, it was unbelievably tasty. It keeps well for a few days, so whenever we went to Rajasthan to visit my grand parents during the winter holidays, it was made in good numbers for the train journey(from Assam it took 2 days in those day as there was no direct trains). I have made it on my own a couple of times and every time I call mom up to confirm the process and measurements. When I saw Gayathri's event -Walk through the memory lane, I thought to share this recipe.

Makes 8 
Click here for a printable version

Ingredients:

1¼ cup whole wheat flour.

¼ cup AP flour
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp salt.
Water to make the dough.

For the filling:

½ cup chick pea flour (Besan).
2 tbsp dried fenugreek leaves.
2 tsp coriander seeds lightly crushed
1 tsp red chilli powder.
3- 4 tbsp oil.
1 chopped green chilli or as per taste.
½ tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp water.
1 ½ tsp salt or as per taste.
Oil for shallow frying.

Procedure:

1. Mix whole wheat flour, AP flour, salt, oil and knead the dough using water as necessary. Dough must be a little tough as for the puris. Let it sit for 15 mins before rolling.

2. For the filling masala, heat a pan and add the oil. When the oil is ready, add the chick pea flour and heat it for 2-3 mins such the raw smell goes away. Do not overdo it, or the mixture will become very dry.

3. Turn off the gas and add all the spices. Sprinkle a few drops of water over the mixture and using your hand rub it to mix it well. The filling mixture should be moist yet crumbly. This is very important; otherwise it will be a little problem in rolling the puris with filling inside.

4. Now knead the dough well again and make 8 Golf size balls. Using some dry flour roll it into a roti about 3cm in radius.

5. Using a spoon place 1 tbsp of masala in the middle. Join the edges and close it forming a ball.

 Roll it again about 6 cm in radius.

6. Keep a heated tava ready. Heat the roti on tava, when one side is done turn it over and heat on the other side. Brush oil in the top side and turn it over again. Brush oil on the other side as well. Apply pressure with a big spoon while heating. It will help it to become crisp.

7. Repeat the process with rest of the dough. Place the puris on a paper towel separately and let it cool completely before storing.

It is an excellent snack with tea and even goes well with yogurt. It can be stored in air tight container for at least 7 days. How ever, it does become a little soft after storing, still it is great in taste.

Thank you for stopping by! Cheers!