Dhokla with a Twist

From traditional twists to innovative flavours, these one-of-a-kind dhokla recipes promise to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your cooking game.

When it comes to trying Gujarati cuisine, there are endless mouthwatering dishes to prepare. Gujarati cuisine has plenty to offer, whether it’s a snack, a main course, or a special dessert. However, there is one Gujarati dish that has won our hearts: fluffy, light dhokla! Dhoklas, traditionally made from fermented gram flour, are perfectly cooked and seasoned with green chilies and mustard seeds. The overall experience is enhanced when served with tea.

We’re here to help you with our special collection of creative dhokla recipes that will elevate your culinary adventure.

Creative Dhokla Recipes You Must Try

1. White Dhokla
Ingredients:

Rice Soaked 3 cup

Urad Dal Soaked 1 cup

Asafetida 2 tsp

Sugar 1 tsp

Water as required

Ginger 1 inch

Green chili 4-5 no.

Salt to taste

Yogurt 2 tbsp

Eno ½ tsp

Black pepper crushed 1 tsp

Red chili powder 1 tsp

Coriander leaves chopped 1 tbsp.

Method:

1. In a grinder jar, combine soaked rice, urad dal, asafoetida, sugar, and water. Grind thoroughly.

2. Place in a bowl, cover, and set aside to ferment overnight.

3. In a grinder jar, combine ginger, green chili, and a little water. Grind coarsely and add to the fermented batter.

4. Combine the salt and yogurt and mix well.

5. Add eno and mix thoroughly. Keep it aside.

6. Meanwhile. Take a large pot, place it on a stand, and add water.

7. Tie the cloth to the lid and cover the pot.

8. Grease the tin with oil and pour the prepared batter, then add crushed black pepper, red chilli powder and chopped coriander on top

9. Place the tin on the prepared steamer, cover it, and cook for 15-20 minutes.

10. After 15-20 minutes, remove the tin from the steamer, brush some oil on top, and set aside to cool.

11. Cut into pieces and serve.

2. Nylon Dhokla

Ingredient:

250 ml of water.

Lemon juice, 1 no.

Sugar 2 tablespoons

Salt to taste.

Ginger 1 inch.

Green chillies, 5-6 total.

Gram flour (2 ¼ cup)

Turmeric powder 1 teaspoon

Eno 1 teaspoon

Citric acid in a pinch.

1½ tablespoon of oil

Regarding sugar syrup:

Water ¼ cup

Sugar 2 tablespoons

Regarding Tadka:

1½ tablespoon of oil

Asafoetida 1 teaspoon

Slit 4-5 green chillies.

Mustard seeds 1 teaspoon

Curry leaves Sprig 2-3 times.

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine water, lemon juice, sugar, and salt. Mix well until the sugar melts.

2. In a grinder jar, combine ginger, green chili, and a little water. Grind coarsely and add to the bowl, mixing well.

3. Add gram flour gradually, mixing well to make a smooth batter.

4. Combine turmeric powder, eno, and citric acid and mix thoroughly.

5. Add oil, mix well, and set aside for 5 minutes.

6. Meanwhile. Take a large pot, place it on a stand, and add water.

7. Tie the cloth to the lid and cover the pot.

8. Grease the tin with oil and pour in the prepared batter. Place it on the prepared steamer, cover it, and cook for 15-20 minutes.

9. After 15-20 minutes, remove the tin from the steamer and set it aside.

10. In a pan, combine water and sugar and mix well to make sugar syrup.

11. Pour the syrup on top of the prepared dhokla and set aside.

12. Heat the oil in a pan, then add the asafoetida, mustard seeds, and green chilli, stirring well and sautéing for 1 minute.

13. Add curry leaves, mix well and pour the tadka on top of Dhokla.

14. Cut into pieces and serve.

3. Grilled Dhokla Sandwich

Ingredients:

4 cups readymade dhokla batter

Salt to taste

Oil for greasing

Crushed black peppercorns to taste

2-3 tablespoons crushed corn kernels

2-3 tablespoons finely chopped mixed capsicum

2 tablespoons grated cottage cheese (paneer)

1-2 green chillies, crushed

1 teaspoon chaat masala

1½ tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves

Green chutney for spreading

2 teaspoons ghee + for basting

1 teaspoon mustard seeds

1 teaspoon white sesame seeds

Method:

1. Heat enough water in a dhokla steamer.

2. Place batter in a bowl. Add salt and mix thoroughly.

3. Grease the dhokla moulds with oil, then pour the batter and tap. Sprinkle crushed peppercorns on top, then place the moulds in the hot steamer to steam until done. Remove from the steamer, let cool, and then demould.

4. In a bowl, combine corn kernels to make stuffing. Combine the mixed capsicum, cottage cheese, green chillies, chaat masala, and 1 tablespoon coriander leaves. Add salt and mix thoroughly.

5. With a medium-sized cookie cutter, cut the steamed dhoklas into roundels.

6. Preheat a nonstick grill pan.

7. To make dhokla sandwiches, spread green chutney on one side of each roundel. Spread some stuffing over half of the prepared dhoklas, then cover with the remaining dhoklas, chutney side down.

8. Add ghee to the hot grill pan. Let the mustard seeds splutter. Add sesame seeds and the remaining coriander leaves. Place the sandwiches and grill on both sides until light golden, basting with ghee.

9. Serve hot.

4. Dhokla Pizza

Ingredients:

3 cups of dhokla batter

3 tablespoons pizza sauce (plus for spreading)

Salt to taste.

Oil for greasing.

2 teaspoons of olive oil + for spreading.

One medium green capsicum, finely chopped

Boil 1/4 cup of sweet corn kernels.

1 teaspoon red chili flakes, plus for sprinkling.

1 teaspoon dried oregano, plus for sprinkling.

4-5 black olives, pitted and sliced

Grated mozzarella cheese for spreading

Method:

1. Heat water in a dhokla steamer.

2. Place batter in a bowl. Add salt and mix thoroughly.

3. Grease a dhokla plate with oil. Fill ½ of the dish with batter and spread evenly.

4. Place the plate in the hot steamer, cover, and steam until finished. Remove from the steamer, let cool, and then demould. Similarly, prepare with the remaining batter.

5. Heat olive oil in a nonstick pan. Add the capsicum and sauté for 1 minute.

6. Combine corn kernels, chili flakes, dried oregano, salt, black olives, and 3 tablespoons pizza sauce; cook for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.

7. Use a medium cookie cutter to cut ½ of each dhokla into roundels, and a small cookie cutter for the rest.

8. Spread some pizza sauce, prepared toppings, and cheese over each roundel. Sprinkle dried oregano and chili flakes on top.

9. Heat a nonstick pan and grease with olive oil. Place the prepared dhokla pizzas, cover, and cook over low heat until the cheese melts.

10. Serve hot.

5. Cabbage Dhokla

Ingredients:

1 cup besan (Bengal gram flour)

1 cup finely chopped cabbage

½ cup curds (dahi)

1 tsp chilli powder

2 pinches of asafoetida (hing)

1½ tsp coriander-cumin seeds (dhania-jeera) powder

½ tsp turmeric powder (haldi)

Salt to taste

1 tsp fruit salt

Oil for greasing

1½ tsp oil

1 tsp mustard seeds (rai/ sarson)

5 to 6 curry leaves (kadi patta)

1 tsp sesame seeds (til)

For the garnish

1 tbsp finely chopped coriander (dhania)

Method:

1. In a deep bowl, combine besan, cabbage, curds, chilli powder, asafoetida, coriander-cumin seeds powder, turmeric powder, and salt with about ½ cup of water. Mix well to form a batter of dropping consistency.

2. Just before steaming, add the fruit salt to the batter and sprinkle with 2 tsp water.

3. When the bubbles appear, gently mix.

4. Pour the batter into a greased thali with a diameter of 175 mm (7″) and steam for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

5. Heat the oil in a small nonstick pan, then add the mustard seeds, curry leaves, and another pinch of asafoetida.

6. When the seeds crackle, add the sesame seeds and mix thoroughly.

7. Pour the tempering over the dhoklas.

8. Cut into equal-sized squares.

Serve immediately, garnished with coriander.