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Khatta Dhokla
By
DK
on Feb 03, 2010
When I made Khaman Dhokla with amazing results, I had one reader Kavita interact with me about Khatta Dhokla! I promised her a recipe and here it is - 2 months later. Well its late indeed and I really apologize to many of my readers whose request is still in the queue. I assure you, its not cos I am slapdash about the request. Hell no! I am not! Its just that when I give you a recipe, I want to be first personally happy with the results. Like for example, I remember trying making the Khatta dhokla ages ago - so long ago that I really don't remember what the result was. Only that - it was not a disaster. Then I tried out the recipe I had and well it was clear that I was thoroughly spoilt by the spongy Khaman Dhokla since the recipe I had did not give me that level of sponginess. The pores were missing and then it had a more hardened batter type texture than the spongy one I was looking out for.
Thus started experiments where I tried out at least 7 different recipes each with not very satisfactory results. Then finally about a week ago, few modifications later, I finally got the texture I was looking out for. I am not sure the source of the recipe which I modified since Dhokla recipe is very common in India and almost everyone has a recipe for it. But whoever it is - thank you :)
The result of this experiment was an airy and spongy Dhokla which has a slight tanginess (rightfully so since Khatta in Hindi means sour). The batter is almost same as South Indian Idli and so is the preparation with a slight variation. Addition of fruit salt gives it the airiness and that immensely spongy texture. You can top it with anything of your choice - roasted fenugreek seeds powder, Pepper powder, chilli powder and the list goes on. It's been raining a lot in my side of the world and as you can see I did go overboard with the chilli powder!
I am not complaining - I loved it! Only my better half had a tough time with the 'heat' of the dish! And you might think it weird but you will have a riot if you hear what we did with the leftovers! I made Upma with it the next day and it was amazing!!! Since its taste matches that of Idli, I thought a upma just like 'Idli-Upma' would not hurt it and it did not!
You could also enjoy it with Idli-chutney powder and you will know why I keep saying that it matches the taste of idlis. Esp. when enjoying it with idli chutney powder, the similarity becomes profound :). I have added green chillies in the recipe but you can add chilli paste to the batter for a spicier version.
If you like this, you might also like:
Indian Street Food/Snacks : Khaman Dhokla, Batata Vada, Molaga Bhajji, Samosa Recipe, Pav bhaji, Sundal recipe, Masala Vadai
The result of this experiment was an airy and spongy Dhokla which has a slight tanginess (rightfully so since Khatta in Hindi means sour). The batter is almost same as South Indian Idli and so is the preparation with a slight variation. Addition of fruit salt gives it the airiness and that immensely spongy texture. You can top it with anything of your choice - roasted fenugreek seeds powder, Pepper powder, chilli powder and the list goes on. It's been raining a lot in my side of the world and as you can see I did go overboard with the chilli powder!
I am not complaining - I loved it! Only my better half had a tough time with the 'heat' of the dish! And you might think it weird but you will have a riot if you hear what we did with the leftovers! I made Upma with it the next day and it was amazing!!! Since its taste matches that of Idli, I thought a upma just like 'Idli-Upma' would not hurt it and it did not!
You could also enjoy it with Idli-chutney powder and you will know why I keep saying that it matches the taste of idlis. Esp. when enjoying it with idli chutney powder, the similarity becomes profound :). I have added green chillies in the recipe but you can add chilli paste to the batter for a spicier version.
If you like this, you might also like:
Indian Street Food/Snacks : Khaman Dhokla, Batata Vada, Molaga Bhajji, Samosa Recipe, Pav bhaji, Sundal recipe, Masala Vadai
Basic Information
Prep Time: 1 to 2 days
Cook Time: Under 15 min
Serves: 4 people
Yield: Makes one 8 inch (2" deep) pan worth
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups medium grained rice
- 1/2 cup split black gram (urad dal)
- 1/4 cup yogurt/curd, slightly beaten
- 1-2 green chillies, thinly sliced (or use 1/2 to 1tsp green chilli paste)
- 10-12 whole peppercorns
- 1 tsp oil
- 1 tsp fruit salt (Eno)
- 1 -2 tsp of roasted sesame seeds,coarsely ground black pepper, chilli powder (optional) for garnish
- salt to taste
Method
1
Soak the rice and black gram separately, at least for 6-7 hours.
2
Drain the rice and grind it in your processor until it becomes a paste. The texture will still feel coarse/grainy.
3
Pour it out into a large bowl.
4
Next grind the black gram. Add water only if required.
5
The texture of this is velvety and very smooth. Pour it into the same bowl with the rice batter. Add the yogurt/curd, salt , peppercorns and mix well. Ferment overnight.
6
The next day - add the sliced green chillies (or chilli paste) and oil . Mix well.
7
Now sprinkle the 1 tsp of fruit salt over the batter and add 2 tsp of water over it (again sprinkle it on top). You will see the bubbles forming as a reaction to the fruit salt when in contact with water.
8
Take a thali (plate) which you are planning to use for steaming the dhokla. I used a Cake Pan since it fits well in my rice cooker and it was the only deep plate I have on hand. Though this is not necessary, I as a precaution additionally sprinkled a little bit of Fruit salton the plate. You don't have to do it per se. Keep the steamer ready - there should not be a delay after the fruit salt is added to the batter. When its ready, pour the batter into the plate.
9
Once the bubbles start, very gently stir the batter for the salt to get mixed well with the batter.
10
Top it with the roasted seeds, powders etc. and steam for about 10 minutes
11
or until a knife/skewer inserted in the middle (check in multiple places) comes out clean
Let it cool for few minutes and then cut out pieces - diamond shaped or square - whatever strikes your fancy! Can you see the spongy texture?
Of course, I tried very hard to get that spongy texture in the photos.....
Hopefully - that has come through. Enjoy it as soon as you make them and with Tamarind/Mint chutney! It was good on its own too.
Of course, I tried very hard to get that spongy texture in the photos.....
Hopefully - that has come through. Enjoy it as soon as you make them and with Tamarind/Mint chutney! It was good on its own too.
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20 Responses to “Khatta Dhokla”
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Your recipe really helps me to making khatta dhokla
thank you for sharing this lovely with us.
next time when i make i am thinking to add bit of ginger.
thanks for the recipe DK! u have mentioned ” split black gram (urad dal)”. as far as my knowledge goes, ‘gram’ is chana dal and not urad. further, if we use urad dal in this, isnt it the same batter that we make for south indian idlies(in 1:3 proportion with rice)??
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vigna_mungo. and yes, it does taste like Idli and i mention likewise in the post –DK
I soaked the rice and the dal a day before and added curd with them. Right now my batter is become too “khatta”. Please suggest what can i add to it to reduce the khatta.
What should be added to get a juicy kata meeta Dhokla..
Thank you so very much for this recipe.It was very thoughtful of you to take the time and actually remember that i had asked you for this recipe. I will surely try it out in the next few days and let you know how it goes. would love to share with you some of my recipes too,just have not started blogging yet , really dont know where to begin. Thank you again though
The eno is to be added only when you are going to cook. So I am not sure what u wud do with leftovers cos I havent personally tried it myself!
Hey DK,
I have this “rasbhara dhokla” in my hometown that is bright red in colour and basically contains normal dhokla dipped in a red chilli powder, sugar, tamarind and mustard seeds tadka mixture(liquid), but its so yummy than the regular dhokla, lot soft and juicy texture, just to try…
i tried your dhokla recipe just the way shown by you. but my dhoklas did not turn spongy. i added eno fruit salt just before putting it in a dhokla maker. what could be the reason. pls reply.
Did you sprinkle some eno on the plate before pouring the batter? Was the batter cooked enough? Did the toothpick/knife come out clean on all the sides? Sometimes if its not cooked enough, it will still be soft and sticky and wont be spongy enough. Also letting it cool and can also help to develop the sponginess. Other than these, I cannot think of any other factors if you have followed all the steps! Hope these points help
–DK
Hi!!
I made this dhokla..They were good but they turn brown while steaming…do you know wht can be the reason…I used baking soda instead of eno…can tht be the reason…..Thanks for the lovely receipe
Brown? I am really not sure! It has never happened to me in spite of me having tried variety of recipes. Guess as you said, it cud be cos of the Baking soda…:) –DK
Hi,
You present your recipes very methodically which makes it so easy for amateur cooks like me .. thank you and please keep up the “delicious” work.
Hi
I do make dhoklas with sooji. but it falls apart. i guess i do not use right consistency batter. any help!!
I haven’t yet tried my hands with making Dhokla with sooji!! I will surely update once I do
–DK
Lovely dhoklas, I make with rice and chana dhal and also add some chamna dhal whole to add texture.(but I like your variation will definately try it,)
Dholas look spongy and tasty.
Hi DK, The khatta dhokla looks very spongy and delicious!! I just had a quick question. At what stage do you add the yoghurt? I see yoghurt on the list of ingredients however, I don’t see it in your amazing step-by-step instructions! Keep up the great work!!
Hi Sudha – thanks for the pointer! This is why I should stop drafting my posts late at night when I am half asleep
. It is to be added along with salt and peppercorns just before fermenting. I have added this in the post. Thank you so much 
–DK
love the dhokla with coriander chutney…we add chana daal..lovely pics…
cheers Joy Of Cooking
Lovely texture…never made dhoklas before..but i do love them…
Its looks very spongy and thanks for sharing this delicious dhokla…
The sponginess has definitely come through in the pics. Looks good.
It looks very spongy…Loved the toppings. Beautiful step-by-step pics.