Idlis( South Indian steamed rice and spilt black gram dumplings)

I love this soft,spongy and white idlis with sambhar and coconut. This hot healthy snack is probably
The lightest but also the most filling snack in India.

 






Ingredients:

• Rice-2 cups
• Urad dal( spilt skinless black gram)-1 cup              
• Fenugreek seeds( methi)-1/2 tsp
• Poha-1 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil for greasing

Method:
Wash rice in water 2 to3 times and drain add 3 cups water and soak for 3 to4 hours.
Wash and soak dal,poha  and methi  in 2 cups water for 3 to 4 hours.
Drain dal and methi,poha and put in a grinder with 1/2 cup water make a smooth batter.
Transfer to a pan.
Drain the rice and put in the grinder with 3/4 cup of water grind to a slightly coarse mixture.
Transfer to the saucepan with the dal mixture.
Mix the batter with hand and cover the pan with tight lid and set aside in a warm place overnight
To ferment.
Heat 2 cups water in a steamer and lightly oil the idli moulds.
Add the salt into batter and stir pour it into the moulds. Fit the trays onto the stand put in the steamer
Cover and steam for about 10 minutes or until toothpick inserted in an idli comes out clean.
Take the idli stand out of the steamer and keep aside for to cool a bit.
Spoon the idlis out and serve with samber and Coconut chutney.

Dal Dhokli(strips of spicy dough cooked in flavorful lentils)

Today I"m going to share with you one of delicious one pot meal from Gujarat.spicy dough strips cooked in flavorful dal make this dish very yummy.It is so easy and simple to make.I prepare this on lazy days,no need to any other curries and side dish.

 

Ingredients :
For dal:

• Toor dal(split pigeon peas)-1 cup
• Peanuts-1 tbsp
• Methi-1/2 tsp
• Ginger-1/2 tsp(grated)
• Tomato-2 chopped                                     
• Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
• Red chili powder-1/4 tsp
• Cloves-2
• Cinnamon sticks-1 inch
• Curry leaves -5-6
• Cumin seeds-1/4 tsp
• Red chili( whole)-2
• Hing( asafetida)- pinch
• Tamarind paste-1 tsp
• Jaggery-11/2 tsp
• Salt to taste
• Ghee-1 tbsp

For Dhokli:

• Atta( whole wheat flour)-1 cup
• Besan- 2 tbsp
• Turmeric powder-1/4 tsp
• Ajwain( carom seeds)-1/4 tsp
• Oil-1 tsp
• Salt to taste

Method:
Wash and soak dal for 30 minutes with 3 cups of water.
For Dhokli add atta,besan,turmeric powder,oil,ajwain and salt.
Add enough water and knead to make a stiff dough.
Cover and keep aside for 20 minutes.
Add shocked dal in pressure cooker and cook for 3 to 4 whistle.
Let the pressure go on by itself.
Meanwhile make dhokli,divide the dough into 4 portion roll into balls.
Using a rolling pin.roll out each ball into a thin chapati.
Using a sharp knife,cut 1 inch diamond shaped pieces.keep aside.
Heat ghee in a pan add cumin seeds,Cinnamon sticks,cloves,red chili and curry leaves
saute for few seconds, add tomato,ginger and cook till tomato gets mushy.
Add turmeric powder,red chili powder,cooked dal and 2 cups of water.
Bring to boil,add gud and tamarind paste and stir.
Then add dhokli pieces and cook. stirring the dal occasionally.
When the dhoklis are cooked and and dal has slightly thickened.
Turn off the heat and garnish with chopped coriander.
Serve warm.
Enjoy!!!