Dhoklas

It's indeed a festive season this month and all I can see around me are the colours of festivity...but I must share with you readers the biggest open secret...last year, this month I lost my father two days prior to X'mas. I loved him more than he knew I did. He gave us everything...just breathe a word to him, he would buy crates of those things/various shades of the thing we wanted, or the best researched model of the thing requested...He always gave and gave...and in my eyes he was like Santa...with that huge tummy and his gentle smile.

 A thousand pics of his all over my desktop are not enough to replace his absence...I do see a bit of him in my brothers in their mannerisms,height and looks! and that is something to cherish and treasure indeed!

 So here is this Gujarathi (Indian state) sumptuous snack/breakfast dish that would linger in your mouths, if prepared well!

I wouldn't say that I reached the perfection of this recipe as it had to be quite fluffy! Mine wasn't soft and fluffy. I think it has to do with the cold weather or my impatience :( My Gujju friends please excuse me if there is no finesse!

 A tsp of store bought citric acid crystals were dissolved in a quarter cup water along with 8 tsp of Castor Sugar and two tsp of salt. Then add 3 cups besan (chickpea flour/gram flour) and two cups of water to it along with two tsps of green chilly paste, a tsp of shredded ginger and baking soda and whisk them all thoroughly so as to form a nice batter(optional- People do add Curd or Eno Fruit flavour but I have used the crystals) Set it aside for a while and then in a greased steel plate , pour this batter and steam it for around fifteen minutes or until it is cooked through. I have steamed it in my Idli vessel. Once it has cooled down it has to be tempered with a few crackled mustard seeds, asafoetida,cumin seeds and green chillies. Garnish the dish with finely chopped cilantro and a tbsp of grated coconut.

Cut the steamed dish into squares or diamond shape as is the usual method...I had used a Christmas bell-shaped mould which a darling friend presented me as she wanted to get me something as we were meeting after more than twenty five years! Love u TM :) and she knew I loved to bake/show off my culinary skills.
So mine is a bell-shaped Dhokla :) and I steamed the batter in that!

Those who wish to have moist and sweet Dhoklas can dissolve sugar in warm water and pour it over the steamed dish.

I have served it with some tomato-red chilly chutney.