Tangy Gujarati Khaman Dhokla with Mustard and Green Chili Tempering
Soft, spongy steamed chickpea cakes flavored with tangy lemon and tempered with mustard seeds and green chili for a classic Gujarati snack. This indian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 30 minutes pairs gram flour (besan), semolina (rava), yogurt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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)
- 2 tbsp semolina (rava)
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tsp ginger-green chili paste
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 2 green chilies slit
- 6 curry leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves chopped
- enough for steaming water for steaming
Instructions
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup gram flour and 2 tbsp semolina. Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp ginger-green chili paste. Whisk in 1/2 cup yogurt and 1/2 cup water to make a smooth batter without lumps.
- Step 2: Just before steaming, stir in 1/2 tsp baking soda gently to aerate the batter, then add 2 tbsp lemon juice and mix quickly.
- Step 3: Grease a 9-inch round steaming tray with 1 tbsp oil. Pour the batter evenly into the tray.
- Step 4: Place the tray in a steamer or large pot with enough boiling water, cover tightly with a lid, and steam for 15-18 minutes over medium heat until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 5: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds, and when they begin to pop, add 2 slit green chilies and 6 curry leaves. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then remove from heat.
- Step 6: Once the dhokla is steamed, remove the tray and let it cool for 5 minutes. Cut into squares or diamonds.
- Step 7: Pour the prepared tempering evenly over the dhokla and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves.
- Step 8: Serve warm or at room temperature with green chutney or sweet tamarind chutney.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Tangy Gujarati Khaman Dhokla with Mustard and Green Chili 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 Tangy Gujarati Khaman Dhokla with Mustard and Green Chili Tempering?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep gram flour (besan) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Tangy Gujarati Khaman Dhokla with Mustard and Green Chili 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 Tangy Gujarati Khaman Dhokla with Mustard and Green Chili 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.
What goes well with Tangy Gujarati Khaman Dhokla with Mustard and Green Chili Tempering?
Indian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
