I am somewhat sharing my family’s secret here when I say that my husband absolutely will not eat Dal Dhokli! He grew up in a Gujarati household so I really cannot understand his aversion to this comforting Dal Dhokli meal. I, on the other hand, grew up eating the dish and absolutely love it! Since I will not cook two separate dinners, what is my solution to making Dal Dhokli at home? I wait for my husband to go on business trips and make it then 😊 This time when mom was visiting and my husband was traveling, we made it a few times and I got to document this authentic Gujarati recipe!
In this article, I am excited to share with you our family’s cherished recipe for Dal Dhokli. We will guide you through the process, offering detailed instructions and valuable tips to ensure that you can recreate this authentic dish in your own kitchen. So, whether you are a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, prepare to embark on a flavorful adventure that will bring a taste of Gujarati tradition and warmth to your home.
What is Dal Dhokli?
Dal Dhokli is a traditional Gujarati dish from India. It is a one-pot meal that combines lentils (dal) and wheat flour dumplings (dhokli).
To prepare Dal Dhokli, first, a lentil-based curry is made using ingredients such as pigeon peas (toor dal), tomatoes, ginger, garlic, and spices like turmeric, red chili powder, and cumin. The lentils are cooked until soft and then tempered with a mixture of spices and herbs.
Next, the wheat flour dumplings, known as dhokli, are made by kneading wheat flour with spices. The dough is then rolled out into small circles and added to the simmering dal curry. The dhokli absorbs the flavors of the curry as it cooks.
This is a wholesome and satisfying dish that offers a balance of flavors and textures. It is not only delicious but also provides a good combination of proteins from lentils and carbohydrates from the wheat flour dumplings.
Ingredients to make authentic Dal Dhokli recipe
Ingredients for the Dhokli
- 1 cup Whole wheat flour
- ¼ teaspoon haldi
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin/coriander powder
- Salt
- 1 tablespoon oil
Ingredients to make the Dal
- ¾ cup Tuvar dal
- ¼ cup raw peanuts
- ½ teaspoon haldi
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon jeera
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- ¼ teaspoon hing (asafetida)
- 1 teaspoon ginger/green chili paste
- 1 large tomato, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- 2 teaspoon cumin/coriander powder
- 10-12 curry leaves
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons jaggery powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ cup chopped coriander
- Salt
How to make Dal Dhokli
There are 3 major steps to making my dal dhokli recipe:
- Making the Dal
- Making the Dhokli
- Combine Dal and Dhokli
How to make Dal
- Properly wash the dal and soak it in water for 2-3 hours.
- To the insert of the Instant Pot add the soaked dal, 4 cups of water, peanuts, salt, and turmeric. Close the Instant Pot with a pressure valve to sealing.
- Select Manual/Pressure Cook(Hi) and adjust the cooking time to 12 minutes. Quick release. Carefully open the Instant Pot.
- Use a wooden whisk to whisk the dal smooth.
- While the dal is cooking in the Instant Pot, heat a nonstick pan with cooking oil.
- When the oil is heated, add jeera, mustard seeds, and hing.
- When the seeds begin to splutter, add the curry leaves and ginger/green chili paste.
- Stir to cook and add the chopped tomatoes.
- Cook till the tomatoes break up and the oil starts to release.
- Add red chili powder and cumin/coriander powder and mix well. The masala is ready to be combined with the dal.
How to make the Dhoklis
- Take the Dhokli ingredients in a large bowl and start mixing them with your hands. Use water to help you knead. The dough should be of roti dough consistency. Shape into a round ball and cover with a wet kitchen towel and rest for 1/2 hour.
- Divide the dough into small or medium-sized balls, about 4-5 balls. Roll them into round balls.
- Take one ball at a time and gently roll to a 6-7 inch rotis with the help of a rolling pin. Use a bit of flour if the dough sticks to the rolling pin.
- Heat a roti tava and semi-cook the rolled rotis on both sides. We will finish cooking it off in the dal. To prevent the rotis from drying out, keep it covered in a towel till the next step.
How to combine Dal Dhokli
- After the dal is whisked, turn the Instant Pot back to Saute mode. Add the prepared masala and jaggery and an additional 1 cup of water to the dal and bring it to a boil.
- While the dal is coming to a boil, cut the prepared rotis in 1 ½ inch square pieces.
- Once the dal is boiling, add the dhokli pieces to it and stir. Let it boil for 5-7 minutes for the flavors to meld.
- Add lemon juice and garam masala and stir. Taste the dal and add any additional seasonings as required. Add chopped cilantro and turn off the Instant Pot.
- Serve with a dollop of ghee and a side of white rice if desired.
Recipe tips to make authentic Gujju Dal Dhokli
To help you create a Dal Dhokli that evokes the feeling of a cherished family recipe, here are some valuable tips to keep in mind:
- You can make the Dal Dhokli recipe with any leftover rotis you have from the previous day.
- If cooking the Dal in a stovetop pressure cooker, cook it for 4-5 whistles on medium flame.
- If you do not have time to soak the dal for 2-3 hours, increase the Instant Pot cooking time to 16 minutes.
- If not eating immediately, the dal will thicken over time so you will have to adjust it with hot water when ready to serve.
- Half-cooking the rotis (dhoklis) prevents them from sticking when it is combined with the dal.
- Sequence of cooking dal dhokli components to minimize time spent:
- Soak the dal
- Make the dhokli dough and rest it.
- Make the rotis (dhokli) and half cook them.
- Boil the Dal in the Instant Pot or Pressure cooker.
- Make the tomato masala.
- Mix the boiled dal with the tomato masala and add the dhoklis.
FAQs- Dal Dhokli recipe
Yes, Dal Dhokli is a vegan-friendly food. Just be sure not to add ghee when serving it.
I did not use any onion/garlic to make this recipe of Dal Dhokli so it’s Jain friendly. Dal Dhokli is also a very good Paryushan-friendly food- just avoid using tomatoes, green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, cilantro, and lemon juice to make it. You can use dry amchur powder in the dal instead.
In my experience, half-cooking the rotis (dhoklis) prevents them from sticking when it is combined with the dal. But you can certainly not cook them and just release the raw dhoklis in the dal. Just know that you will have some stuck bunched-up dhoklis.
Other Gujarati recipes to try
Recipe Card- Dal Dhokli
Dal Dhokli: Sharing Our Beloved Family Recipe
Discover the heartwarming flavors of Dal Dhokli, a cherished family recipe that combines lentils and spiced dumplings. This recipe article guides you through creating a nourishing and comforting meal that will bring the feeling of togetherness to your table. Experience the joy of preparing a traditional dish that holds generations of love and tradition.
6
servings30
minutes40
minutesIngredients
- To make Dhokli
1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/4 teaspoon Turmeric powder (haldi)
1/2 teaspoon Red Chili powder
1 teaspoon Cumin-coriander powder
salt
- To Make Dal
3/4 cup Tuvar Dal (Pigeon peas)
1/4 cup Raw Peanuts
1/4 teaspoon Turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tablespoon Cooking Oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
1 teaspoon Mustard seeds (rai)
1/4 teaspoon Hing
1 tablespoon ginger/green chili paste
1 large tomato, finely chopped
1 teaspoon Red Chili powder
2 teaspoons Cumin-coriander powder
10-12 Curry leaves
1 teaspoon Lemon juice
3 tablespoons jaggery powder
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/4 cup chopped coriander
salt
Method
- How to make Dal
- Properly wash the dal and soak it in water for 2-3 hours. To the insert of the Instant Pot add the soaked dal, 4 cups of water, peanuts, salt, and turmeric. Close the Instant Pot with a pressure valve to sealing. Select Manual/Pressure Cook(Hi) and adjust the cooking time to 12 minutes. Quick release. Carefully open the Instant Pot.
- Use a wooden whisk to whisk the dal smooth.
- While the dal is cooking in the Instant Pot, heat a nonstick pan with cooking oil. When the oil is heated, add jeera, mustard seeds, and hing. When the seeds begin to splutter, add the curry leaves and ginger/green chili paste. Stir to cook and add the chopped tomatoes. Cook till the tomatoes break up and the oil starts to release. Add red chili powder and cumin/coriander powder and mix well. The masala is ready.
- How to make Dhoklis
- Take the Dhokli ingredients in a large bowl and start mixing them with your hands. Use water to help you knead. The dough should be of roti dough consistency. Shape into a round ball and cover with a wet kitchen towel and rest for 1/2 hour.
- Divide the dough into small or medium-sized balls, about 4-5 balls. Roll them into round balls. Take one ball at a time and gently roll to a 6-7 inch rotis with the help of a rolling pin. Use a bit of flour if the dough sticks to the rolling pin.
- Heat a roti tava and semi-cook the rolled rotis on both sides. We will finish cooking it off in the dal. To prevent the rotis from drying out, keep it covered in a towel till the next step.
- How to combine Dal Dhokli
- After the dal is whisked, turn the Instant Pot back to Saute mode. Add the prepared masala and jaggery and an additional 1 cup of water to the dal and bring it to a boil.
- While the dal is coming to a boil, cut the prepared rotis in 1 ½ inch square pieces. Once the dal is boiling, add the dhokla pieces to it and stir. Let it boil for 5-7 minutes for the flavors to meld.
- Add lemon juice and garam masala and stir. Taste the dal and add any additional seasonings as required. Add chopped cilantro and turn off the Instant Pot.
- Serve hot with a dollop of ghee and a side of rice if desired.
Recipe Video
Tips
- You can make the Dal Dhokli recipe with any leftover rotis you have from the previous day.
- If cooking the Dal in a stovetop pressure cooker, cook it for 4-5 whistles on medium flame.
- If you do not have time to soak the dal for 2-3 hours, increase the Instant Pot cooking time to 16 minutes.
- If not eating immediately, the dal will thicken over time so you will have to adjust it with hot water when ready to serve.
- Half-cooking the rotis (dhoklis) prevents them from sticking when it is combined with the dal.
- The sequence of cooking dal dhokli components to minimize time spent: Soak the dal, Make the dhokli dough and rest it, Make the rotis (dhokli) and half cook them, Boil the Dal in the Instant Pot or Pressure cooker, Make the tomato masala.
- Mix the boiled dal with the tomato masala and add the dhoklis.
