Dhokra, Khaman-Steamed Lentil Cakes

Dhokra, so Gujarati
Khaman Dhokra with coriander Chutney

Khaman Dhokra ખમણ ઢોકરા

Course: Main Dish, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine: Indian
Prep Time: 2 days
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Preparation before steaming: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 days 30 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Finger licking savoury part of the gujarati meal. Complete the experience with the coriander chutney
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • Special dhokra steamer. See intructions.

Ingredients

Dhokra Batter

  • 1 cup Channa daal
  • 2 cups Mung daal
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • 4-5 whole black peppers
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic optional
  • 3 Green chillies
  • 2 inch Ginger
  • 6 ml sour yoghurt
  • 1 tsp Ground pepper and paprika for sprinkling over batter before steaming

Decorating and Vaghaar Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp desiccated coconut
  • 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp Mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp Sesame seeds
  • Pinch of asafoetida powder
  • 1 tbsp chopped green coriander

Instructions

Dhokra Batter

  • Wash both daals separately and soak for at least 8 hours. Change water a couple of times and strain into a large sieve.
  • Grind the daals separately in a liquidiser adding the rest of the batter ingredients. Add just enough water to produce a thick and grainy batter. To give a more intense flavour you can use the buttermilk liquid left over from making paneer.
  • Mix all ingredients in a large container and leave aside at room temperature for about 12-16 hours. The fermented batter will increase in volume.
  • Take around 200mls of batter and add one tsp of eno granules or half tsp of sodium bicarbonate. Whisk until the batter is one and a half times the original volume.

Cooking Dhokras

  • Cook the dhokras an hour before dinner. Prepare either the special dhokra steamer or the heavy bottom pan used as a steamer(pressure cooker) by heating up the water at the bottom.
    Dhokra stand
  • Smear oil at the bottom of all the dhokra plates.
    Opened Dhokra stand
  • Allowing two ladels per plate, quickly transfer the batter into the prepared plates.
  • Sprinkle the ground pepper and paprika on the top.
  • Assemble the dhokra unit and place inside the steamer, ensuring that the water at the bottom is bubbling vigorously. Close and turn the heat to medium and steam for 20 minutes. If using the pressure cooker as the steamer pot, use either an ordinary tight-fitting lid or turn your cooker setting to steamer if available.
    Dhokra stand in 'steamer'
  • Turn off the heat and leave vessel unopened for 10 minutes. The dhokras should be soft and fluffy. Carefully remove the stand and ease out the plates.
  • When cooler sprinkle the desiccated coconut on the plate(s)

Vaghaar on top

  • Heat the oil in a small pan. When hot, add the mustard, sesame and then the asafoetida. Divide this spattering vaghaar between the plates, such that a thin layer of oil together with an even spread of mustard and sesame is visible.
  • Sprinkle chopped green coriander.
  • Score the plates into little squares and remove using a flat spatula.
  • Repeat the whole process until all the batter is cooked.
  • Eat with green coriander chutney

Notes

Start preparing at least 48 hours before the meal. Dhokras are always served with fresh green coriander chutney. To skip the first two steps(of the cooking process) and/or if you are short of time, purchase the dry dhokra flour mix from a Gujarati store, and soak this 24 hours before. For every 200g of dry flour use 30ml of sour yogurt, two tablespoons of oil and appropriate water to make a thick and grainy batter.. Remember to grind and add appropriate amounts of the salt, black pepper, garlic, chilies and ginger.
There are many variations to this basic recipe. You can add chopped corn, or spinach in the batter.
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