Upvas ka Dhokla | Farali Dhokla | Vrat ka Dhokla
Variously called Upvas ka Dhokla, Farali Dhokla and Vrat ka Dhokla, this is a fermented and steamed snack made with Little Millet or Sama (also called Samo Rice or Varai). This Sama ka Dhokla is light on the stomach and I often make it instead of Idli in my home.
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Varai, Sama, Samo Rice or Little Millet (100 gms)
- 1 Cup Yogurt (250 gms)
- 2 tsp Grated Ginger
- 2 tsp Green Chilli Paste
- Sendha Namak to Taste
- 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder (Optional)
- 1/4 tsp Soda (or 1 tsp Eno)
For Tempering
- 1 tsp Ghee
- 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
- Finely Chopped Coriander for Garnish
Instructions
Making the Batter
- On low heat, lightly roast the little millet for 3-4 minutes. The millet should just be toasted and not change in colour.
- Mix the toasted little millet, dahi, green chilli paste, ginger paste, and sendha namak.
- Cover and set aside to ferment for at least 4 hours. This will help the little millet soften a bit as well.
Cooking the Upvas ka Dhokla
- Add some water to your steamer or pressure cooker and let the water come to a boil. If you are using a pressure cooker, remove the whistle or the weight from the lid. See Notes.
- Grease a plate or a flat dish with edges using a little ghee or oil.
- Mix 1/4 tsp soda or 1 tsp Eno into the dhokla batter and wait for 2-3 minutes. Small bubbles will appear on the surface. See Notes
- Pour the batter into the greased dish.
- Sprinkle some red chilli powder on the surface. This is just to make it look pretty. :)
- Place the dish into the steamer or pressure cooker.
- Steam for 10 minutes.
Preparing the Tempering
- In a ladle or a pan, heat the ghee.
- Add cumin seeds and stir-fry till the cumin starts to change colour.
The Final Touches
- Run a small sharp knife blade along the edges of the dish to loosen the Upvas ka Dhokla.
- Place a plate on the dish and invert it to remove the Dhokla.
- Pour the tempering over the steamed Farali Dhokla.
- Scatter the chopped coriander on the Dhokla.
- Cut into 3" pieces.
- Serve warm with green chutney or upvas ka chutney.
Notes
- Always get the steamer going before you add eno or soda to the batter. Otherwise, the Dhokla tends to be flat.
- Add the eno or soda just before you steam or the aeration will be lost.