Bethica's Kitchen Flavours: Surti Locho (Steamed Lentil Snack

Surti Locho is a very delicious, simple and a healthy steamed snack originating from Surat in Gujarat. I had the opportunity of relishing it during a personal visit to Surat. So I decided to give it a try in my own kitchen. So here it is. It can be termed as a street food which the locals enjoy as breakfast, snack or as a light dinner.

It is almost similar to Dhokla and can be a great lunch box meal too which I usually pack for my hubby's lunch. It can also be served as an-after school snack too. So go ahead and make this Surat Special traditional snack by following a step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

1/2 cup chana dal (Bengal gram)
2 tbsp. urad dal (split black gram)
2 tbsp. poha (Flattened rice), I have used brown poha
1 tsp. ginger, grated
1-2 green chili, finely chopped
1 tsp. eno fruit salt
salt to taste
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
1/4 tsp. asafoetida
1/2 tsp. red chili flakes
pinch of pepper powder
pinch of roasted cumin powder
pinch of red chili powder
2 tbsp. oil
1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped
1 tbsp. bhujia / sev
1 whole green chili
1 onion, chopped
dash of lime juice

Soak the chana dal and urad dal overnight. Soak the poha for 10 minutes. Grind all the soaked items with required quantity of water into a batter like consistency.

To it add salt, turmeric powder, ginger, chilies, asafoetida, half of the chili flakes and 1 tbsp. oil. Mix everything well. Just before steaming add the eno fruit salt and give it a stir.

Transfer to a greased steel container. Sprinkle red chili powder. cumin powder and pepper powder over it.

Steam for 15-18 minutes. Scoop a ladle of the steamed Locho on a plate. Garnish with onion, 1 fresh chili, lime juice, coriander leaves, remaining oil and bhujia / sev. Enjoy as a tea-time snack or as a light dinner.