Showing posts with label dhokla. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dhokla. Show all posts

Friday, February 5, 2010

Lowfat Methi Na Muthiya Dhokla (A steamed Fenugreek leaves and chick-pea flour snack)


Know what you eat: In my earlier post of "Methi na gota" fenugreek leaves -gramflour fritters..I talked about the benefins of having fenugreek leaves/seeds for various purpose..JFI Apart from what we already know by now ...Fenugreek (Methi) is an amazing magic herb that can cure number of ailments. Indian Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine recommend fenugreek to treat arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, improve digestion, maintain a healthy metabolism, increase libido and male potency, cure skin problems (wounds, rashes and boils), treat sore throat, and cure acid reflux. It also has a long history of use for the treatment of reproductive disorders, to induce labor, to treat hormonal disorders, to help with breast enlargement, and to reduce menstrual pain. Recent studies have shown that Fenugreek helps lower blood glucose and cholestrol levels, and may be an effective treatment for both type 1 and 2 diabetes,Since ancient times, it has been known to increase milk production in lactating women. Research has even shown that milk production can increase by over 500 percent within 24 to 72 hours after consuming fenugreek capsules. This "Methi Na Muthiya Dhokla" goes to Yasmeen for hosting Health Nut Challenge- 4 Bitter Better Health.
Channa Dal(Bengal gram) is very high in protein and very low in glycemic index.

Note: Another variation to this recipe is adding lauki/doodhi (bottle gourd) squash,cabbage, even leftover cooked rice...makes a big hit.......Here is the recipe.


Ingredients:

1 C Spinach washed, chopped
2 C Fenugreek Leaves washed, chopped
2 Tbsp Cilantro (Coriander) washed, & chopped
4 Tbsp Gram flour (besan)
2 Tbsp Whole wheat flour
1 Tbsp Semolina (rawa)
1 tsp Green chilli-ginger paste
1/2 tsp turmeric pwd
1/4 red chilli pwd (optional)
1/2 tsp Cumin seeds (jeera)
2 Tbsp Oil
1/4 tsp Soda-bi-carb
1/2 tsp Sugar
3 tsp lemon juice
Salt to taste



For Tempering:

1 Tbsp Oil
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 tsp Sesame Seeds
1 pinch asafoetida (hing) pwd


For Garnish:

1 Tbsp Chopped Coriander (Cilantro)
1 Tbsp Grated Fresh/Frozen-thawed Coconut


Method:


1. In a bowl, combine spinach & fenugreek leaves.


2. Sprinkle 1 tsp of salt, mix it well and squeeze out all the liquid (If you want to skip this process, make sure you do not add any water while kneading the dough, just mix greens with flour and set aside for a while, it will automatically leave some liquid which you can for the dough)


3. Combine everything mentioned in ingredients in a bowl & Knead into a semi soft dough (mix it thoroughly)


4. Wash your hands and now apply a little oil on your hands, divide the mixture and with your palms roll lenghtwise (as shown in pic) and place these rolls in a steamer.


5. Steam it for 15 - 20 mins or untill done, (as we check the cake, check this roll with a knife, if it comes out clean, that means its done).


6. Remove from the steamer and let it cool at room temperature for a while.


7. On a cutting board, take one roll & with a sharp knife, cut small circles (like we cut the cookie) as shown in picture. Like wise cut all the rolls and keep it aside.


8. Now for tempering, heat oil in a kadai/ skillet, add mustard seeds, as it spluters, add (jeera) cumin & sesame seeds. Add a pinch of asafoetida (hing).


9. Now add all the pieces which are cut and kept aside, slowly in this kadai/skillet, and let it become light brown or slightly cripsy on one side, similarly, with a spatula, very carefully turn it to the other side.


10. Once done, serve hot with Green cilantro chutney / ketchup enjoy these protein rich guilt free snack.


Event Participation: Cooking for Kids leafy greens hosted by Pavani originally started by Sharmi of Neivedyam.
This dish is our contribution to SWC- Cooking with greens event, hosted by Sowmya.
This dish goes to Show me your Breakfast event hosted by Divya Vikram.
This goes to EFM June Breakfast series hosted by Srish.

Friday, July 31, 2009

Khaman Dhokla (Spicy Steamed Bengal Gram Flour Cake) & Green Chutney for ICC

Know what you Eat - Besan (Bengal gram flour) is very high in protein and very low in glycemic index. This bean from which this flour is made looks just like yellow split peas, but is quite different because it doesn't readily boil down to mush. It's more closely related to garbanzo beans, or chickpeas. The differences are that Bengal gram is younger, smaller, split, sweeter, and has a much lower glycemic index, in fact much lower than the Garbanzo(not the dark colored chick pea but the light one). This dish can be made with Black Chick Pea flour also which is even low on the GI and far superior protein, but will not be soft and spongy and will be darker in color. But tastes good.

This is our first participation in the ICC hosted by Srivalli. Dhokla can be made in different ways and we had earlier posted our version of Nylon Instant Khaman Dhokla some time back.
This recipe passed on by Srivalli requires the batter to be made and kept for an hour so you can take care of the chutney and other things during that time. I exactly followed her recipe except for using lime juice instead of citric acid, used regular eno packet and had to omit the cooking soda as i didn't have any and it came out very well. One more tip for making a good dhokla, if you are using a container to steam instead of pressure cooker or pan is to tie a cloth on the inside of the lid. So whatever water accumulates on the top doesn't drip into the dhokla and make it soggy.

Ingredients

For Batter

Bengal Gram flour / Besan - 1 1/2 cups
Yogurt- 1/2 cup (not very sour)
Water - 1/2 cup
Cooking Soda - 1/2 tsp

For seasoning to be mixed to the batter (to be added just before cooking)

Oil - 1 tbsp
Turmeric a pinch
G. Chili paste - 1 - 2 long (as per taste)S
ugar - 1 tsp
Citric acid - quarter tsp
Eno - 1 packet (green colour fruit lime) + sprinkle or dust few bits on the plate

For tempering

Sesame seeds
Mustard Seeds
Curry leaves
Grated coconut
Coriander leaves
Little water + Oil to be topped on dhoklas

Method

1) Mix first 1/2 cup yogurt with 1/2 cup water.
2) To this add the besan and mix well to get a lump less batter, the consistency should be of idli batter, more of dropping not pouring consistency.
3) Slowly add more water if needed else, add the soda.
4) Keep it aside to rise for 1 hour.
5) To the batter mix in the citric acid, oil, salt, sugar, green chili paste and turmeric powder.
6) Mix well. This has to be done just before pouring to the plate.
7) Meanwhile have the pan on stove, and let the water start boiling.
8) When the water reaches the rolling stage, you can mix the eno to the batter (Save little of eno for dusting on the plate), mix gently, you will see bubbles coming out.
9) Dust or sprinkle the plate with eno.
10) Then immediately pour the batter to the plate. Place the plate carefully inside the pressure pan and cover with lid.
11) After covering you will find steam coming out of the outlet, simmer and don't disturb for almost 5 -7 minutes.After 5 -7 minutes, remove the lid and proof it using toothpick or knife. If the knife comes out clean and does not have any batter sticking, then its done.
12) Cover back and let it remain on flame for 1 min and switch off the gas and allow it for 5 minutes.
13) In a bowl, mix 3 tsp of water along with a tsp of oil
14) Remove the plate from the pan, pour the water and oil mix over the top.
15) For seasoning, heat a pan with oil, add curry leaves, sesame seeds, mustard seeds and finely chopped green chilies.
16) When mustard starts popping, remove and pour over the dhokla.

Notes - The batter should be filled to only 1/2 as it will rise up.
After adding eno the batter should not rest.
If you want perfect shaped ones and not the crumbling, cut and handle gently
Dhokla can also be steamed in kadai filled with water and a plated titled over it.

Green chutney

G. chili - 4-5 no
Coconut - 4- 5 pieces
Coriander - bunch
Few mint leaves
Cumin seeds - 1/2 tsp
Lime -1 big
Salt to taste

Method

1) Take all the ingredients except coriander in a food processor.
2) Grind to a smooth paste.Then add the coriander and again grind.
3) Remove to a bowl, add the remaining lime and serve with Dhoklas.
4) Have this dhokla as a breakfast or as  a protein rich guilt free snack.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Nylon Instant Khaman Dhokla

A quick and easy version of the traditional khaman dhokla.


Serves 4 to 6.
Cooking Time : 10 min.
Preparation Time : 5 min.

Ingredients

For the batter
1 cup Bengal gram flour (besan)
1 1/2 tablespoons semolina (rawa)
1/2 teaspoon citric acid (nimbu ke phool) OR 1 tsp lemon juice
3 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon green chilli-ginger paste
1 1/2 teaspoons Eno's fruit salt ** Salt acc.to taste

For the tempering (vaghar)

1 tablespoon oil
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds (til)
2 chopped green chillies
a pinch asafoetida (hing)
* few curry leaves

For the garnish
1 Tbsp chopped coriander & coconut.

Method
1. Mix together all the ingredients for the batter except the fruit salt using enough water to make a thick batter.
2. Add in the fruit salt, sprinkle a little water over the fruit salt and mix well.
3. When the mixture rises, pour it into a greased thali and steam for about 10 minutes.
4. For the tempering, heat the oil in a small katori and add the mustard seeds, sesame seeeds, green chillies and asafoetida, when the mustard seeds crackle, add 1 tablespoon of water and pour this over the steamed dhoklas.
5. Cut into pieces and serve with green chutney.


This goes to EFM June Breakfast series hosted by Srish.