Chickpea flour Snack Cakes - Khaman Dhokla Recipe
Savory Vegan Chickpea flour Snack Cakes - Khaman Dhokla Recipe. Steamed or baked savory cakes w/ tempered Indian spices & cilantro chutney. Gluten-free Soy-free Active time: 25 mins Bake time: 15 minutes. 8 inch or smaller cake pan or 9 by 5 bread pan. Use stoneware or glass pan for best results. If using regular non stick bakeware, place the pan on baking sheet so the bottom of the dhokla doesn't dry out or harden.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Dhokla:
- 2 cups chickpea flour garbanzo bean flour or besan (gram flour)
- 1 tsp salt
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 inch of ginger crushed or blended to a paste crushed well in a mortar pestle
- 1/2 green chili crushed or blended to a paste
- 1/2 cup non dairy yogurt plain unsweetened
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup water
- oil for greasing
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds or shredded coconut optional
For the tempering:
- 1 tsp organic canola or safflower oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- a generous pinch of asafetida hing
- 1 to 2 green chili finely chopped
- 6 curry leaves chopped optional
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp coconut flakes fresh or dry
- ½ cup water
- cilantro and lemon juice for garnish
Instructions
Make the Dhokla:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F / 220ºc. In a large bowl, add chickpeas flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and turmeric. Whisk well.
- Add the ginger paste, chili paste, yogurt, lemon juice and mix. Add water a few Tablespoons at a time to make a thick muffin type batter. (If using besan, you will need less water. If using store bought yogurt, you might need a bit more water). Grease a stoneware cake pan or bread pan. sprinkle the bottom with sesame seeds or coconut shreds.
- Pour the batter into the pan, Using a greased spatula or greased hand, press or shape the batter into the pan if needed. Cover the pan with foil lightly. Prick 1-2 small holes in the center of the foil.
- Bake for 15 to 17 minutes. Peak to check if the center is set. Remove from the oven and let sit for 5 minutes before removing foil. Invert onto a serving dish and slice/cube.
Make the tempering:
- In a small skillet, add oil and heat at medium. When the oil is hot, add the mustard seeds and let them sizzle or sputter for a few seconds.
- Add the asafetida, chili and curry leaves. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until most of the chili is golden brown.
- Add the sugar, lemon juice, coconut flakes and the water. Mix and cook for 3 minutes or until the water is hot. Drizzle this over the dhoklas. Garnish with cilantro leaves and lemon juice. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. To refresh, microwave to warm up or serve at room temperature. Sprinkle hot water to moisten before serving.
- Serve with cilantro Chutney or serve as a side like cornbread. Add the tempering into the batter before baking to serve as a side.
Steam instead of bake at step 4:
- Use a steel steamer pan or bread pan. Place in the steamer and steam for 12 to 15 minutes. I use a pressure cooker to steam. The traditional dhokla that you get in restaurants is steamed.
Microwave instead of bake at step 4:
- Pour batter in a microwave safe bowl. Lightly cover and microwave for 2 minutes. check is done in the center. Microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute longer as needed.
Notes
For variation: Mix half of the tempering into the batter before baking.
Tips: if the batter is too thin for any reason, add a Tbsp of rice flour or semolina to thicken. Besan might make thinner batter, so add more besan or rice flour.
To sub non dairy yogurt, use full fat coconut milk or thick cashew milk. Use a bit less than 1/2 cup if using milk and bake longer (5 to 10 minutes). Nutritional values based on one serving
Tips: if the batter is too thin for any reason, add a Tbsp of rice flour or semolina to thicken. Besan might make thinner batter, so add more besan or rice flour.
To sub non dairy yogurt, use full fat coconut milk or thick cashew milk. Use a bit less than 1/2 cup if using milk and bake longer (5 to 10 minutes). Nutritional values based on one serving
Nutrition
Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 402mg | Potassium: 485mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Vitamin C: 37.2mg | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 2.8mg