White Dhokla

Recently, I was invited to a cookery demonstration of authentic Gujarati dishes by two wonderful Gujarati ladies. While the demo was in process (i.e. steaming and heating was underway), she enlightened us with some tips and some other recipes of Gujarat.
She spoke of this “white” dhokla which later on I learnt that, it is also called as “Khatta” (meaning “sour” in Hindi) Dhokla. We all made a note of this recipe too. I felt that this could be easily named as “Idli” with a twist ! - Because the main batter used in the recipe is the Idli batter (Udad dal and Rice).

People from the south of India can easily try this out as normally idlis are prepared at least once a week in their homes. Incidentally, I had just prepared idly batter and had kept it for fermentation before leaving for the demo !

The next day, before steaming the idlis, I kept aside one cup of the batter to try out this new recipe. Believe me, it turned out super soft and fluffy and delicious. I also shared this with my neighbour who loved it.

So from one idli batter, you can prepare two different dishes – one from Southern India and one from Western India (Gujarat) ! Isn't that wonderful ?

In the meantime, I shall try out the two recipes which was demonstrated and shall put them up in my blog. So watch out for the recipes in my next posts.

Ingredients:

Idli Batter 1 cup Sour Curd 2 tbsp Green chilies (chopped) 1 or 2 Ginger (chopped) 1inch piece Asafetida A pinch Oil 1 tbsp Soda 1/4 tsp Salt As per taste Crushed pepper 1 tsp
Method: Take a bowl, add all the above ingredients except crushed pepper and mix it well and keep aside. Take a greased “thali” / steel plate and pour the above prepared mixture into it and give the plate a gentle shake so that the mixture is evenly spread. Now sprinkle the crushed pepper on top of the spread mixture. Lastly, place the plate in a pressure cooker (without the whistle) or a steamer and steam the contents for about 12-15 mins. Remove and allow it to cool. When slightly cooled, cut it into squares or diamond shapes and serve as it is or with any chutney of your choice.
Ingredients (except crushed pepper) added After additon of soda (or eno) The mixture poured into a greased plate and crushed pepper sprinkled on top - ready for steaming  Removed from the steamer Dhoklas cut into squares
Preparation time: 10 mins Cooking time: 12-15 mins Makes : about 20 squares (depending upon the size)
Note : Preparation of idli batter : One measure Udad dal (split black gram) and 2 measures raw rice. Wash and soak them separately in water for about 8 -10 hours or keep it overnight. Next day, drain the water. First, grind udad dal to a smooth paste and then rice coarsely. Mix them thoroughly. Add salt and mix again and keep it overnight for fermentation. The idli batter is ready for preparing idlis or white dhoklas. In this recipe, I used eno (1 level tsp) instead of soda. I used a steel plate measuring 8 inches in diameter. While pouring the batter in the plate, ensure that it is only three fourths filled - leaving room for the batter to rise while steaming.

Some Birds & Animals of Sasan Gir Forest

Frankly speaking, I consider myself reasonably good at taking pictures of those objects that do not move! Hence I surprised myself when I managed to take a few pictures ( two to be precise) of the resident birds in the gardens of the lodge where we stayed. This place where we stayed is a bird lover's paradise. There were so many of them - tiny ones and they are so very fidgety that its very difficult to focus on them. One has to have a lot of patience.

It was with great difficulty I managed to get these shots. Generally I get the picture of the trees rather than the bird itself! There is much scope for improvement and as they say – No pain no gain.

Peacock - just finished his mating dance

Lapwing - keeping her eggs warm

Paradise Fly catcher - in the gardens of the lodge

Oriental white eye - very tiny birds sighted in the gardens of the lodge

Langur

male & female deers drinking water

Sambar Deer

Nilgai

Part II - Somnath Temple, Sunset & the Hailstorm

The visit to the temple was on our agenda but we had thought of visiting it early in the morning. But God had other plans for us ( and I firmly believe his plans always works the best). The bright afternoon suddenly turned into a cloudy one followed by lightening and thunder and then the hailstorm! It was such a beautiful sight. Like pearls dropping from the sky on the green lawn in front of the cottage where we were staying ( I was witnessing the hailstorm for the first time). I tried to capture the beauty of this scene and hope I have done justice to it.

The evening safari was cancelled due to the hailstorm and so as not waste our day we thought of visiting the temple when the weather cleared a bit.

We managed to see the Temple (cameras are not allowed inside). Its a beautiful structure. We were also rewarded with a spectacular sunset which I managed to capture. The scene was absolutely breath-taking.

Front-view of the Somnath Temple

Silhouette of the Somnath Temple

Somnath Temple with the sun setting in the background
This photo has been published today(May 25, 2010) in the Deccan Chronicle Bengaluru edition on page 21

The sunset

The hailstorm - "Pearls " dropping from sky !

Close-up of "the pearls" on the lawn!

watch out for the next post - Part III

Pride of Gujarat & Asia

Hi! Everybody! I am back ! No I did not run out of ideas for recipes !

We just returned from our vacation in Gujarat and Mumbai. I feel all refreshed and rejuvenated. We had a wonderful time at Sasan Gir Forest – the only home to Asiatic Lions. The safaris in Sasan Gir Forest in Gujarat were very rewarding. I got some good photographs (by my standards!) of the lion and the pride and other animals and birds too. I thought I will share them with you all.

The "Great Mom" crossing the road

The thrill of seeing a lion at such close quarters is very difficult to describe.

Two's Company

The Reunion!

Threesome

The curious one

Happy Family

The AnxiousWait

The cute one

For details of the trip report, you may visit my daughter’s blog ( Birds & Bees - on my web-page )

Watch out for the part II