Palak Dhokla

Palak Dhokla is a savory steamed snack made from gram flour and spinach. This nutritious dish combines the earthy flavors of spinach with the spiced, fluffy texture of traditional dhokla. It’s a light, yet satisfying option that’s perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

For a Serving Size of Two:

Ingredients:

For the Dhokla Batter:

• 80 grams besan (gram flour)
• 50 grams spinach leaves, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger-green chili paste
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar (optional, for slight sweetness)
• Salt to taste

For Fermentation:

• 150 grams plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For Tempering:

• 1 teaspoon oil
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 1-2 green chilies, slit
• A few curry leaves

Procedure:

• In a mixing bowl, combine besan, chopped spinach, turmeric powder, ginger-green chili paste, and salt. Mix well.
• Add yogurt and lemon juice to the mixture. Stir to combine. The yogurt will help in natural fermentation, giving a slight rise to the batter. Cover the bowl with a cloth and let it sit in a warm place for 4-6 hours or overnight to ferment slightly. The batter should show bubbles and increase in volume.
• Preheat the steamer or a large pot with a steaming rack. Grease a steaming dish or plate with oil.
• Stir the fermented batter gently and pour it into the greased dish. Smooth the top with a spatula. Place the dish in the steamer and steam for about 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• In a small pan, heat oil. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add sesame seeds, slit green chilies, and curry leaves. Sauté for a few seconds.
• Once the dhokla is cooked, remove it from the steamer and let it cool slightly. Pour the prepared tempering over the dhokla and cut it into squares.
• Serve the palak dhokla warm with green chutney or tamarind chutney.

Nutritional Benefits: 

• Calories: 450 kcal
• Protein: 29 g
• Carbohydrates: 65.5 g
• Fat: 14.4 g