Dal-Dhokli: Ultimate comfort food

Dal-Dhokli means cooked Indian flat-bread bites, submerged in spicy and tangy lentil soup. Dal-Dhokli is ultimate comfort food in Gujarati household. My Dal-Dhokli recipe is inspired by the famous Gujarati chef Tarla Dalal. Each time it comes out perfect. It is great for soggy rainy weather.

Approx 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cooking Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:
For Dhokli:

• Whole wheat flour – 1.5 cups
• Besan (Bengal gram flour) – 1/2 cup
• Ajwain (Carom seeds) – 2 tsp
• Red chili powder – 1 tsp
• Asafetida – 1 pinch
• Salt as per taste
• Cooking oil – 2 tbsp

For Dal:

• Tuwar dal (yellow lentils) – 1 cup uncooked
• Tomatoes – 1/2 cup
• Boiled peanuts – 2 tbsp
• Ginger  – 1 tbsp finely chopped
• Green chilies – 2 finely chopped
• Curry leaves – 8
• Jaggery (gur)- 1 tbsp
• Tamarind pulp (Imli) – 1 tbsp
• Red chili powder – 1 tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Garam masala – 1 tsp
• Salt as per taste

For tempering:

• Cooking oil – 2 tbsp
• Cumin seeds – 2 tsp
• Asafetida (Hing) -1/4 tsp
• Finely chopped cilantro – 2 tbsp (for garnish)

Method:
For Dhokli:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a bowl, mix well and knead into soft dough, using enough water.
2. Cover and keep aside for 15-20 minutes.
3. Divide the dough into equal portions and roll out each portion into 6″ diameter and 1/8 inch thick circles.
4. Heat griddle or tava and cook each roti lightly from both the sides.
5. Cut each roti with pizza cutter or knife into diamond or desired shapes and keep aside.

For Dal:

1. Cook dal in the pressure cooker with turmeric powder and salt. Keep aside.
2. Heat the oil in large sauce pan and add cumin seeds. When seeds start crackling, add finely chopped green chilies and ginger. Sauté for a minute.
3. Now add asafetida powder, red chili powder and the cooked dal. Mix well and bring it to a boil.
4. Add the curry leaves, tomatoes, jaggery, tamarind pulp and peanuts. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Garnish and Serving Suggestions:
Garnish hot dal with freshly chopped cilantro. For plating, just before serving add prepared dhoklis to hot dal and serve immediately.

Note: Add dhoklis one by one to the dal or it will form a lump.