Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering
Soft, fluffy gram flour cakes steamed to perfection and topped with a fragrant mustard seed and curry leaf tempering, a signature Gujarati snack. This indian-inspired snacks (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes turns gram flour (besan), water, lemon juice into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 8 leaves curry leaves
- 1, finely chopped green chili
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1/4 cup water for tempering
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh coriander leaves
- 2 tbsp (optional) grated coconut
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup gram flour, 3/4 cup water, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Whisk until smooth with no lumps.
- Step 2: Just before steaming, gently fold in 1 tsp baking soda to the batter and immediately pour into a greased 8-inch round steaming pan.
- Step 3: Steam the batter over boiling water for 15 minutes covered with a lid, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the surface feels firm and springy.
- Step 4: While steaming, heat 2 tbsp oil in a small pan over medium heat and add 1 tsp mustard seeds. When they start to pop, add 8 curry leaves and 1 finely chopped green chili. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 1/4 cup water to the tempering pan and bring it to a simmer, then pour the entire tempering mixture evenly over the steamed khaman.
- Step 6: Garnish the top with 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves and 2 tbsp grated coconut if using, then cut the khaman into squares and serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Steamed Spiced Gujarati Khaman with Mustard Tempering vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
