If you’re looking for vegan and gluten-free options for breakfast and snacking, Indian cuisine is a great place to start. Especially because it has flavorful and quick-to-prepare dishes like the dhokla. Also known as khaman dhokla, it’s a savoury, fluffy cake made from gram flour and basic spices. This veggie dhokla recipe includes chopped or grated vegetables in the mix, making for a healthier and more satiating meal. It’s soft to touch, easy to digest, and comes together in just 30 minutes — perfect for busy mornings, unexpected guests, or elaborate brunches.
In a large bowl, add ½ cup of water, salt, sugar, ginger paste, and lemon juice. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Next, add the flours and turmeric and mix them all to make a lump-free batter. Add a little water if the batter is too thick. Whisk for 60 seconds to ensure the batter has the optimum consistency– the batter should be thick yet pourable. Now fold in the finely chopped or grated vegetables. Mix gently. Do not add ENO at this stage.
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Prepare the steamer and container
In a steamer, add 3-4 cups of water. Place a round steamer rack or trivet in it. Now, cover the steamer and bring the water to a rolling boil. While the water boils, take a 5-inch pan or container and grease the base and sides with oil.
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Add the baking soda
Once the water in the steamer starts boiling, add the baking soda to the dhokla batter and mix. The batter will immediately become frothy before it starts to thicken and lighten in colour. Now, whisk everything well, including the sides, to ensure it’s evenly mixed.
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Steam the dhokla batter
Immediately add the batter to the greased container and place it inside the steamer. Cover the steamer. Steam the dhokla batter for 15-20 minutes on a medium-high flame. To check if it’s done, insert a knife in the centre; it should come out clean if done. Turn off the heat. Leave the cooked dhokla covered for another 5 minutes.
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Remove the dhokla
Remove the dhokla from the steamer and let it cool down. Once it’s cooled, run a knife around the edges of the container to slightly dislodge it. Now cover the container with a plate (upside down) and invert it, transferring the cooked dhokla onto the plate. Let it cool down before cutting it into small squares.
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Prepare the tempering
In a small pan, add 1 tbsp of oil. Next, add the mustard seeds. Once they start crackling, add the curry leaves and green chillies. Sauté till the leaves turn crisp. Now, add hing, sugar, salt, and ½ a cup of water. Bring it to a rolling boil and turn off the heat. Stir the water to dissolve the sugar.
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Add the tempering to the dhokla
Add the tempered water on top of the dhokla. First, pour half of the water, wait for a few seconds, and then pour the rest. The dhokla will absorb the water. It’s important for the flavour. Let it cool completely before serving.