Mug Dhokla

 

            Dhokla, a traditional Gujarati snack is typically steamed but they come out perfect in a microwave too, in much less time. This is a very simple, easy to prepare and a completely hassle free recipe. In just three minutes, you have a healthy piping hot mug dhokla ready to be devoured as a breakfast option or any time of the day. A great comfort food, they turn out real soft and spongy. 

          Pour some flavorful tempering over it and enjoy them directly from the mug. Alternatively, you can slice them and pour the tempering over it. You can also add some green chutney and / or sweet tamarind chutney if preferred. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this yummy treat.

          These mug dhoklas are ideal for breakfast as an evening tea-time snack, or to satisfy sudden hunger pangs. It can be prepared either with besan (gram flour), sooji (semolina) or both combined. So this is the latter version.

          They are both wholesome and nutritious, and they can be packed as a lunch box meal too. This is an instant version that kids will definitely love and is ready in no time. With a slight hint of sweetness, tanginess and spiciness, they are a great party  treat too. 

Dhokla - 

• 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
• 2 tbsp. semolina (sooji)
• 1/4 cup yoghurt
• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. ginger-green chili paste
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 1 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1/4 tsp. asafoetida
• 1 tsp. eno fruit salt / 1/4 tsp. baking soda 

Tempering - 

• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1 green chili, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp. red chili powder 
• 2-3 tbsp. water

Garnishing - 

• chopped coriander leaves, chopped
• fresh grated coconut

            In a mixing bowl, mix together all the ingredients (except eno fruit salt) mentioned under Dhokla. 

          Add required quantity of water and whisk it. Set aside for 10 minutes. 

          Add more water if required to form a batter of pouring consistency. Be sure that there are no lumps. 

          Add eno fruit salt and give it a stir. Pour into a greased microwave safe mug / cup. Fill only till 3/4 of the mug. 

          Microwave on high power for 2 & 1/2  - 3 minutes. Do the toothpick test to check if it is done. 

           Tempering - Heat oil in a tadka pan and temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add sesame seeds, curry leaves and green chili. Switch off the flame and add the red chili powder and 2-3 tbsp. water. 

           Give it a stir and pour this tempering over the mug dhokla. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and fresh grated coconut. 

           Enjoy them directly from the mug just as it is or with green chutney / sweet tamarind chutney.

Note - 

          Alternatively, you can slice the dhokla and pour the tempering over it. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and fresh grated coconut. Serve along with green chutney and sweet tamarind chutney.

In a mixing bowl, mix together all the ingredients (except eno fruit salt) mentioned under Dhokla.

Add required quantity of water and whisk it. Set aside for 10 minutes. Add eno fruit salt and 1 tsp. water. Give it a stir. 

Pour into a greased microwave safe mug. Fill only till 3/4 of the mug.

Microwave on high power for 2 & 1/2  - 3 minutes. Do the toothpick test to check if it is done. 

Heat oil in a tadka pan & temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add sesame seeds, curry leaves  green chili. Switch off the flame & add the red chili powder and 2-3 tbsp. water. 

                    Give it a stir & pour this tempering over the dhokla.

     Garnish with chopped coriander leaves & fresh grated coconut. 

Enjoy them directly from the mug just as it is or with green chutney / sweet tamarind chutney.

Mug Dhokla in Microwave

          Dhokla, a traditional Gujarati snack is typically steamed but they come out perfect in a microwave too, in much less time. This is a very simple, easy to prepare and a completely hassle free recipe. In just two and a half minutes, you have healthy piping hot dhokla ready to be devoured. They turn out real soft and spongy. 

          Pour some flavorful tempering over it and enjoy them directly from the mug. Alternatively, you can slice them and pour the tempering over it. You can also add some green chutney if preferred. Enjoy!!!

          These mug dhoklas are ideal as an evening tea-time snack, for breakfast or to satisfy sudden hunger pangs. It can be prepared either with besan (gram flour) or sooji (semolina). So this is the latter version.

          They are both wholesome and nutritious, and they can be packed as a lunch box meal too. This is an instant version and is ready in no time. With a slight hint of sweetness, tanginess and spiciness, they are a great party treat too. 

Dhokla - 

• 1/2 cup sooji / semolina
• 1/4 cup yoghurt
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 1 tsp. ginger-green chili paste
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. sugar
• pinch of asafoetida
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda 

Tempering - 

• 1 tbsp. oil
• 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds
• 1 tsp. sesame seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 1/2 tsp. red chili powder 
• 1 tsp. lime juice
• 2-3 tbsp. water
• 1/2 tsp. sugar (opt)

Garnishing - 

• 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. fresh grated coconut

            In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients (except baking soda) mentioned under Dhokla. Add required quantity of water and set aside for 10 minutes. 

          Add more water if required to form a batter of pouring consistency. Be sure that there are no lumps. 

          Add baking soda and give it a stir. Pour into a greased microwave safe mug / cup and microwave for 2 & 1/2 minutes. Fill only till 3/4 of the mug. Do the toothpick test to check if it is done. 

           Tempering - Heat oil in a pan and temper with mustard seeds. After it stops spluttering, add sesame seeds, curry leaves and red chili powder. Switch off the flame and add 2-3 tbsp. water, sugar and lime juice.

           Give it a stir and pour this tempering over the dhokla. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and fresh grated coconut. Enjoy them directly from the mug just as it is or with green chutney.

          Alternatively, you can slice them and pour the tempering over it. Serve, garnished with chopped coriander leaves and fresh grated coconut.

Kurkuri Bhindi (Crispy Okra Fry) in Microwave

          One can't resist the temptation of any deep fried snacks. However, there is always a guilt attached while enjoying them. A healthy alternative is microwaving them (either oil free or with less oil). They come out as crispy as their deep fried counterparts and are equally yummy as well.

          So let me share these kurkuri bhindi (crispy Okra Fry) that are very easy to prepare and are completely hassle free. They go absolutely well with  homemade chutney, sauce, hummus or any kind of dip of your preference. You can also relish them as a side dish with either rice or Paratha. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it

• 300 gms. bhindi / okra
• 2 tbsp. roasted chickpea flour 
• 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour 
• salt to taste 
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1 tsp. red chili powder 
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tsp. kasuri methi, crushed 
• 1 tbsp. oil 
• 1 tsp. lime juice 
• 1 tsp. oil to grease

          Wash the okra and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Trim both the ends and slice them lengthwise. Combine all the above mentioned ingredients (except oil to grease).

          Arrange the okra on a greased baking tray / microwave safe plate. Microwave for 8-10 minutes on high power, by stirring them with a spatula halfway through.

          Serve these yummy and healthy kurkuri bhindi as an appetizer with sauce / chutney or as a side dish with rice / parathas.

                        Combine all mentioned ingredients (except oil to grease).

                        Arrange okra on a greased baking tray / microwave safe plate. 

                        Microwave for 8-10 minutes on high power, by stirring with a spatula 
                        halfway through.

                        Your kurkuri bhindi is ready to be relished.

                   Serve them as an appetizer with sauce / chutney or as a side dish with rice /                                       parathas.

Besan Pakora (Gram Flour Fritters) in Microwave

          One can't resist the temptation of deep fried pakoras. However, there is always a guilt attached while enjoying them. A healthy alternative to deep fried pakoras is microwaving them (either oil free or with minimal oil). They come out as crispy as their deep fried counterparts and are equally yummy as well.

          For snacks, I made these quick besan pakoras that you should definitely try out. In fact, they are very easy to prepare and are completely hassle free. They go absolutely well with any homemade chutney, sauce, hummus or any kind of dip of your preference. Check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this healthy monsoon delight.

• 1 cup besan / gram flour 
• salt to taste
• pinch of turmeric powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1-2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, grated
• 1 tsp. flaxseeds
• 1 tsp. oil + 1/2 tsp. to grease
• 1 tsp. kasuri methi, crushed
• 1 tsp. roasted coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin powder
• pinch of pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp. red chili flakes

          In a bowl, mix all the ingredients. Add little water at a time and make a soft dough. Cover and keep aside for 15 minutes. 

          In a greased microwave safe plate, place dollops of the dough and cook on micro power for 4-5 minutes. Midway turn the pakoras to cook evenly. 

          Serve these healthy snacks as an appetizer with sauce, chutney, hummus, dip or as a tea time snack. 


          

                      Mix all ingredients. Add little & make a soft dough. Cover & keep aside
                      for 15 minutes. 

                      In a greased microwave safe plate, place dollops of the dough.

                       Cook on micro power for 4-5 minutes. Midway turn pakoras to cook.

                          Serve as an appetizer with sauce, chutney, hummus, dip or as a 
                          tea time snack. 

Garlic Bread

          Yummy and very easy to make, these garlic bread is a must try. So now prepare these pizza hut special garlic bread at home with few basic ingredients available in your kitchen and surprise your loved ones. They are ideal as tea-time snacks or appetizers with hummus. Choice is yours. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it. 

• 1 French Bread, cut into thick slices
• 80 gms. butter (room temperature)
• 2 tbsp. olive oil 
• 2-3 garlic cloves, grated
• 1/4 tsp. dried herbs
• 1-2 tbsp. coriander leaves, chopped 
• 1/4 tsp. red chili flakes
• pinch of pepper powder

         Mix together all the ingredients (except bread) into a smooth paste. Spread the butter mix onto the sliced bread.

          Grill for 5-10 minutes or till it is evenly browned. Enjoy as a tea-time snack or as appetizers with tomato ketchup.
          

                      Mix together all the ingredients (except bread) into a smooth paste. 

Spread the butter mix onto the sliced bread.

                 Grill for 5-10 minutes till it is evenly browned.

     

                            Enjoy as a tea-time snack or as appetizers with tomato ketchup.

Baked Gulkand Flavoured Mishti Doi (Rose Flavoured Sweet Yoghurt - Bengali Style)

          This is a most irresistible Bengali dessert that is very easy and quick to prepare. It can be set overnight the traditional way, steamed or baked. Today I would like to share the baked version. Absolutely a hassle-free dessert, it is a pure bliss and a total hit at any in-house party. I gave a twist by adding some gulkand (rose petals jam) for a lingering rose flavor. So check out the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 1 cup yoghurt
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tbsp. condensed milk
• 2 tbsp. milk powder
• 3 tbsp. gulkand (rose petals jam)
• pinch of cardamom powder
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1 tsp. dry rose petals

          Blend together all the above mentioned ingredients till they are no lumps. Pour spoonful into ramekins and place them on a baking tray filled with some water. 

          Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C. for 12-15 minutes. Set it aside to cool before refrigerating for a couple of hours. Serve chilled.

                 Blend all ingredients till they are no lumps. Pour spoonfuls into ramekins &
                 place them on a baking tray filled with some water. 

                   Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C. for 12-15 min. Set aside to cool
                   before refrigerating for a couple of hours. 

                                Serve chilled.