Dhokla is a popular food that is primarily cooked and eaten by all Gujarati people. However, it is now also preferred by people living in other parts of India. Basically, it is made from the fermented batter of ground chickpeas and rice. There are different kinds of dhoklas, which are made by adding various ingredients. The tastes of these dhoklas vary from each other, though the basic fluffy texture is almost the same in all varieties. Now, dhokla is available in all the sweet shops and street food stalls, even outside Gujarat.

Beneficial reasons for choosing dhokla recipe

Dhokla Recipe | Image Resource : wikipedia.org

1. Generally, dhokla of all types can be made in a microwave oven or a pressure cooker. So, very little time is needed for cooking this Gujarati snack. Anyone can cook it for breakfast or accompany their evening tea, just by spending a few minutes. However, the fermented batter should be kept ready with all the ingredients mixed in it. Hence, many people find it to be the best option amidst their hectic schedules.

2. Since dhokla is a steamed food, very less oil is needed to cook it. Usually, a little amount of oil is needed to brush on the moulds where the batter is poured for steaming. Thus, it is an ideal food for overweight people, due to its low-fat content. It fulfils their appetite and also keeps them healthy, without adding to their body fat.

3. Different healthy ingredients are used for making dhokla, among which Bengal gram and rice are the main ones. Yogurt and semolina are used to make rava dhokla while black gram and coriander leaves are added to make khatta dhokla. Rice is not added to cook khaman dhokla, which renders a bright yellow colour instead of the usual pale yellow or white colour of dhokla. Grated cheese is added to dhokla preparation for getting this snack of delicious taste.

4. Different types of pulses, like Chana dal and Urad dal, contain very high amounts of protein. Rice is a major source of carbohydrate that is needed for a healthy human body. Moreover, overnight fermentation creates healthy bacteria in the batter, which is beneficial for the digestive system and also boosts the immunity power of the body. Hence, the dhokla recipe provides sufficient nutrition to keep a person in good health.

Though dhokla is a Gujarati cuisine, it can be modified to form other types of snacks. Idada is cooked in neighbouring states of Gujarat, which is cooked without fermenting the batter of ground rice and Bengal gram. Khaman is mistaken as the original Gujarati dhokla in many places, where it is sold as dhokla to food-lovers. Different varieties of dhokla recipe satisfy the appetite of all health-conscious people, irrespective of their ages. Dhokla is usually tempered with fried white sesame seeds, mustard seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Finally, this snack is served hot with yummy green chutney.