Methi Dal Dhokli

Daal Dhokli is alltime Gujarati favourite. We have modified this recipe to include whole-wheat flour, minimum oil, sugar substitute, and fenugreek – just what the doctor ordered!!!!

Preparation Time: 20 mins.
Cooking Time: 40 mins.
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves 4.

Ingredients
For the dal
1/2 cup toovar dal (अर्हर दाल)
1/4 tsp mustard seeds (राय)
1/4 tsp cumin seeds (जीरा)
1/4 tsp fenugreek (मेथी) seeds
5 to 6 curry leaves (करी पत्ता)
2 cloves (लौंग)
2 cinnamon (दाल्चीनी) sticks
1 bayleaf (तेजपत्ता)
2 small round red chillies (बोरीया मीर्च)
1/4 tsp asafoetida (हींग)
4 pieces kokum, soaked (कोकम)
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes (टमाटर)
1/2 tsp turmeric powder (हल्दी))
1/2 tbsp lemon juice (नीम्बू रस)
4 green chillies , slit (हरी मीर्च)
1/2 tsp chilli powder (लालमीर्च)
1 tsp grated ginger (अद्रक)
1 tsp oil (तेल)
1 tsp ghee (घी)
1/2 tsp (approx.) sugar substitute
salt to taste

For the dhoklis
1 cup whole wheat flour (गेहु का आटा)
3/4 cup chopped fenugreek (मेथी) leaves
1/2 tsp turmeric powder (हल्दी)
1/2 tsp chilli powder (लाल मीर्च)
1/4 tsp asafoetida (हींग)
1 tsp oil (तेल)
salt to taste (नमक)

For the garnish
1/4 cup chopped coriander (धनीया)

Method
For the dal
1. Wash and soak the dal for a few hours. Add 4 cups of water and cook in a pressure cooker. Keep aside to cool.
2. When the dal has cooled slightly, blend till it is smooth.
3. Heat the ghee and oil in a deep bottomed pan and add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, fenugreek seeds, curry leaves, cloves, cinnamon, bay leaf, small round chillies and asafoetida and stir for 30 seconds.
4. Add 3 cups of water, cocum, tomatoes, turmeric powder, lemon juice, green chillies, chilli powder and ginger and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add the dal and salt and simmer for another 10 minutes.
6. Keep aside.

For the dhoklis
7. Knead all the ingredients together with enough water to make firm dough.
8. Divide into four portions and roll out into thin chapattis.
9. Gently roast on both sides and cool.
10. Cut the chapattis into diamonds or squares and keep aside.

How to proceed
11. Just before serving boil the dal, add the dhokli pieces and simmer for 5 minutes. 12. Add a little sugar substitute if necessary and mix well.
13. Garnish with coriander and serve hot.

Tips:
Add the dhoklis into the dal one by one while stiring continuously to prevent lump formation.
Add more water if the dal thickens while simmering.