The Origin of Dhokla

Appetizing foods are a constant human want, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we are always in search of good food. But, most of these foods are junk which we cannot rely on daily. So, is there any dish that can create the perfect balance between taste and health? This culinary wonder of west India has today ruled on Indian tastes.

The delicious Dhokla Plate, Image source -Fine Dining Lovers

The feathery light snack is a culinary treat for every foodie. The fluffy dhoklas melt in the mouth and give a delectable taste. Packed with aroma and protein, this has transported the taste of Gujarat across India. The much-loved dhokla is relished. It has gained a high reputation for being healthy, nutritious, and low in calories.

Dhokla is mainly made up of fermented gram flour batter and rice flour with a dash of mild spices. It is a savoury cake that uses gram flour instead of maida, making it a healthier option. The addition of chilli and ginger makes the dish more flavourful and aromatic. The garnished coriander and coconuts not only make the dish more presentable but also palatable.

This easy and quick recipe is great for any time of the day. It can be a great start to your day as breakfast or a satisfying end as dinner. As Dhokla is very famous across the country, it has many variations in ingredients. Apart from besan (gram flour) dhoklas, Khandavi dhokla, semolina dhokla, mixed dal dhokla, cheese dhokla, and khaman dhokla are some of the popular varieties.

The dish Khanam is very similar to Dhokla and differs only in the ingredients. Khanam is made up of only chickpeas, whereas Dhokla is made up of chickpeas and rice flour. This gives khanam a subtle light colour and more sponginess than dhokla. Even though both dishes are often confused, they are different and dhoklas have been the staple food of Gujaratis for years.

The origin of dhokla dates back to the 11th century. Although there is not much information available about its history, the ancient texts mention this dish. A Jain text describes a dish as" Dukkia," which much resembles the Dhokla of the modern day. However, the first direct mention of dhokla was in the Varanaka Samuchaya, a Gujurati work written in the 16th century.

With its delicious and mouth-watering taste, this has several health benefits too. Fermentation is very essential in enhancing its nutritive value. Dhokla is also considered an amazing menu option for diabetics. It helps in keeping a healthy gut, provides energy and also helps in weight loss.

These fluffy yellow bites with a tangy taste have made them everyone's favourite. So, whenever you feel like tasting something healthy as well as tasty, just hop into a plate of squishy dhoklas. You will surely enjoy the zesty food.