**Prep Time:** 20 minutes | **Cook Time:** 20 minutes | **Serves:** 4
## Ingredients
**For the batter:**
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tbsp semolina (sooji), optional
- 1 tbsp green chili-ginger paste
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1½ tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp ENO fruit salt (or baking soda)
**For the tempering (tadka):**
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 10 curry leaves
- 2 green chilies, slit
- 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
- 1 tbsp grated coconut (optional)
## Steps
**1. Make the batter**
Whisk together gram flour, semolina, water, chili-ginger paste, sugar, lemon juice, salt, and turmeric until smooth and lump-free. Consistency should be thick and pourable (like pancake batter).
**2. Rest the batter**
Let it sit for 15-20 minutes so the besan absorbs the liquid fully.
**3. Prep the steamer**
Grease a 7-8 inch steaming pan with oil. Bring water to a boil in your steamer or wide pot.
**4. Add leavening agent & steam**
Just before steaming, sprinkle ENO over the batter with a splash of water and gently fold once (don't overmix—the batter will puff up on its own). Pour into greased pan, place in steamer, cover, and steam on medium-high for 15 minutes.
**5. Check doneness**
Insert a toothpick—it should come out clean. Steam 2-3 more minutes if needed.
**6. Cool and cut**
Let cool for 5 minutes, then cut into squares or diamonds.
**7. Make the tempering**
Heat oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter, then add sesame seeds, curry leaves, chilies, and asafoetida. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
**8. Make the syrup**
Add water and sugar to the tempering pan, simmer for 1 minute.
**9. Soak the dhokla**
Pour the hot tempering-syrup mixture evenly over cut pieces. Let soak a few minutes so they absorb the liquid and become soft and moist.
**10. Garnish and serve**
Top with fresh coriander and coconut. Serve warm or at room temperature with green chutney.
## Tips
- Don't skip the rest period—it makes the dhokla lighter and fluffier
- Add ENO only right before steaming (it loses potency once mixed in)
- For tangier dhokla, add an extra ½ tbsp lemon juice
- Leftovers keep 2-3 days refrigerated
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