Greetings of the day,

This is @alfazmalek from #India,

First of all, I would like to thank the team and Steemit for organizing this beautiful learning challenge. Every week we get a chance to learn something new, and this week’s topic is very interesting because it focuses on traditional steamed cooking. In today’s lifestyle, people are more attracted to fried and oily food, but our traditional methods like steaming are actually much healthier and beneficial for the body.

In this post, I am going to share my experience of preparing a famous Gujarati dish, Khaman Dhokla, which is made using gram flour and cooked by steaming. It is one of the most popular snacks in Gujarat and is loved by people of all ages.

This image is created on canva.com

• Dishes Prepared in My Region Using Gram Flour

In my region, gram flour which is also known as besan is widely used in many dishes. Some of the most common dishes are Khaman Dhokla, Handvo, Gota, Bhajiya, and Besan Chilla. Among these, some dishes are deep fried like bhajiya and gota, but dishes like dhokla and handvo are prepared using steaming or minimal oil cooking methods.

Steamed dishes are always preferred for health reasons. They are light on the stomach, easy to digest, and suitable for people of all age groups. Especially in Gujarat, dhokla is a daily snack in many households. It is not only tasty but also considered a healthy option compared to fried snacks.

• Why I Chose Khaman Dhokla

I selected Khaman Dhokla for this task because it is simple to prepare and does not require many ingredients. Also, I personally like its soft texture and balanced taste which is slightly sweet and slightly tangy.

Another reason is that this dish is perfect for steaming, which is the main focus of this challenge. It clearly shows how a simple ingredient like gram flour can be turned into a delicious and healthy dish using a traditional cooking method.

• For preparing Khaman Dhokla, I used the following ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Gram flour (Besan)	2 cups
Sugar	1 spoon
Salt	As per taste
Turmeric powder	A small pinch
Lemon	1
Cooking soda	¼ teaspoon
Oil	1 spoon
Mustard seeds	1 teaspoon
Curry leaves	Few
Green chilli	2
Asafotida	A pinch
Water	As required

Coriander leaves for garnishing

All these ingredients are easily available in every household kitchen, which makes this recipe very convenient.

First, I took a large bowl and added gram flour into it. Then I added salt, turmeric powder, sugar, and a small amount of oil. After that, I squeezed lemon juice into the mixture and mixed everything properly.

Next, I started adding water slowly while mixing continuously. It is very important to mix properly so that no lumps are formed. I kept mixing until the batter became smooth and slightly thick.

In a separate small bowl, I dissolved cooking soda in a little water. Then I added this mixture into the batter and mixed it well. After adding soda, the batter became light and slightly fluffy. This step is important because it helps the dhokla become soft and spongy after steaming.

I took a plate and applied a thin layer of oil on it so that the batter does not stick. Then I poured the batter into the plate and spread it evenly.

I heated water in a vessel and placed the plate inside it. Then I covered it properly and allowed it to steam for about 7 to 10 minutes. During this time, I avoided opening the lid because it can affect the texture.

After steaming, I checked the dhokla using a knife. When the knife came out clean, I understood that it was properly cooked.

While the dhokla was steaming, I prepared the tempering. I heated oil in a pan and added mustard seeds. Once they started spluttering, I added curry leaves, green chillies, and a pinch of asafotida.

After that, I added a little water and sugar to make a light syrup. This mixture gives a nice flavor to the dhokla.

After removing the dhokla from the plate, I cut it into small pieces. Then I poured the prepared tempering evenly over it. Finally, I garnished it with fresh coriander leaves.

The dhokla was now ready to serve.

Price of Ingredients

Below is the approximate cost of ingredients used:

Ingredient	Price (INR)	STEEM (Approx)
Gram Flour	₹120	~20 STEEM
Lemon	₹10	~1.7 STEEM
Oil	₹20	~3.4 STEEM
Spices & Others	₹50	~8.5 STEEM
Total	₹200	~34 STEEM

• My Experience While Cooking

Preparing Khaman Dhokla was a very good experience for me. The process was simple, but it required attention at each step, especially while mixing the batter and steaming. I felt happy seeing the final result because the dhokla turned out soft and fluffy. The taste was also very good, with a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. It felt satisfying to prepare something healthy and tasty at home.

• Health Benefits of Steamed Food

One important thing I learned from this challenge is the importance of steaming. Unlike frying, steaming does not require oil, which makes the food low in fat. Steamed food helps in better digestion and is suitable for people who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It also helps in reducing cholesterol and supports heart health. Gram flour itself is rich in protein and fiber, which makes this dish even more nutritious.

• Presentation and Serving

I served the dhokla on a plate and garnished it nicely with coriander leaves. It looked fresh and attractive. It can be served with green chutney, coconut chutney, or even tomato sauce. This dish is perfect for breakfast or evening snacks and can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

• Conclusion

Overall, this was a very enjoyable and learning experience for me. I understood how traditional cooking methods like steaming are still very useful in modern times. Khaman Dhokla is a perfect example of a dish that is simple, healthy, and delicious. I will definitely try more steamed recipes in the future.

I would like to invite my friends @aviral123, @max-pro , and @yuswadinisam to participate in this challenge and share their own recipes.

All Images by @alfazmalek

THANK YOU

---