Click here to view. Dal Dhokli recipe. Dal dhokli is a Sunday morning delight in most traditional Gujarati households! A perfect combination of spiced whole wheat flour dhoklis simmered in Gujarati dal, traditional Gujarati dal dhokli can be classified as a sumptuous one-dish meal, but you could also serve it with rice to make it all the more tasty and wholesome.

Dal Dhokli is an all-time favourite dish made in Maharashtra and Gujarat, in which strips of wheat flour dough are cooked in a tongue-tickling dal.

The traditional Gujarati dal dhokli recipe is quite lengthy yet the outcome is tasty and amazing and worth every effort. To make dal dhokli, we have prepared dhoklis for dal by combining whole wheat flour, besan, chili powder, turmeric powder, carom seeds and oil and knead into a semi-stiff dough. Further, divide, roll and cook lightly for both the sides. Cool and cut each chapati into diamond or square shapes and keep aside. Next, we have made dal by pressure cooking the toovar dal. Transfer to a deep non-stick pan, further, blend with hand blender adding enough water. You might think that the dal is too watery but that’s how it should be.

Once you add the dhokli, it will absorb some of the water and the dal will get thicker. add the salt, kokum, lemon juice, jaggery, ginger-green chilli paste, chilli powder, cashewnuts, curry leaves and turmeric powder, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 10 to 15 minutes, while stirirng occasionally. Meanwhile, for the tempering, heat the ghee and oil in a small non-stick pan, add the cumin seeds and mustard seeds and allow them to crackle. When the seeds crackle, add the asafoetida, red chillies, cinnamon, cloves and sauté on a medium flame for 30 seconds. Add this tempering to the dal, mix well and while stirring occasionally.

Just before serving, boil the dal, once it starts boiling, add the dhoklis, coriander and ghee, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 1 to 2 minutes, while stirring occasionally. Serve the dal dhokli immediately with ghee.

Is Dal Dhokli healthy?

Yes, dal dhokli is healthy. Made of dal + dhokli. The dhokli is made of whole wheat flour and besan. The dal is made of Toor Dal and Indian spices.

Let's understand the ingredients.

1. Whole Wheat flour : cup of whole wheat flour is used. Whole wheat flour is excellent for diabetics as they will not shoot up your blood sugar levels as they are a low GI food. See detailed benefits of whole wheat flour and why it's good for you.

2. Besan : Besan has more good fat than whole wheat flour and also more protein content. Rich in complex carbohydrates and with a low glycemic index, besan is good for diabetics too. See detailed benefits of besan and why it's good for you

3. Toor Dal : Toor dal is rich in proteins, the building block of good health. High in fiber, diabetic and heart friendly. Being an excellent source of folic acid, pregnant women must include toor dal in their daily diet. See detailed benefits of toor dal. 

4. Kokum : Kokum (Gracinia Indica) has been known as Grandma’s cure to acidity. The hydroxycitric acid – a compound found in kokum has been known to reduce cholesterol levels and suppress appetite, thus working towards controlling obesity and maintain a heathy heart. Kokum’s powerful component ‘garcinol’ carries the antioxidant properties. Kokum juice is an immense thirst quencher which has cooling effect on the body. Research on kokum and diabetes is not clear, so best to try and avoid it. See the detailed benefits of kokum.

5. Lemon, Lemon Juice : Lemon is a very good source of Vitamin C and thus helps in the production of  white blood cells and antibodies in the blood which attacks invading microorganisms, prevents infection and builds immunity. Therefore, Lemon juice is given to prevent common cold. The ascorbic acid in lemon juice helps in absorption of iron from the food. So if you’re iron deficient or have anaemia squeeze a lemon on iron rich recipes. See detailed benefits of lemon, lemon juice.

6. Ghee : Other than calories and fats, the only nutrients that ghee is rich in are the vitamins – all of which are fat-soluble. All the 3 vitamins (Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin K) are antioxidants which have a role in removing free radicals from the body and protecting our cell as well as help in maintaining skin health and glow. Ghee is an excellent, high-quality selection medium of cooking because of its high smoke point. As compared to most oils and butter, ghee can handle a smoke point of 230°C, 450°F, thus its less prone to oxidant and destruction of nutrients. Yes, ghee does contain cholesterol, but some amount of cholesterol is needed by the body. Cholesterol has some functions to play too. It is necessary for hormone production, brain function, cell health and lubricating the joints. It is, in reality, a high quality fat for the body and brain. Ghee is loaded with fats but that’s medium chain fatty acids (MCT) which aid in weight loss. Ghee is healthy for daibetics in small amounts and you need to check your fat intake at the same time. Learn to easily make your ghee at home which is free of preservatives. See benefits of ghee. 

7. Cashew Nuts (kaju) : In general, walnuts, cashew nuts, peanuts, almonds, pistachios and pinenuts are a healthy snack to carry keep with you as they are rich in monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats and good for heart. They are a healthy snack for Diabetics. Dietary intakes of cashew and other foods rich in magnesium helps to regulate blood pressure. See 9 amazing benefits of cashew nuts for complete details. 

8. Coriander (kothmir, dhania) : Coriander is a fresh herb often used as a flavour enhancer in Indian cooking. It is mainly used as a garnish. This is the best way to use it - no cooking. This preserves its vitamin C content which helps to build our immunity and bring that sparkle to the skin. The antioxidants vitamin A, vitamin C and the quercetin present in coriander works towards strengthening our immune system. Coriander is a fairly good source of iron and folate – the 2 nutrient which help in the production and maintenance of red blood cells in our blood. Good for reducing cholesterol and good for diabetics. Read 9 benefits of coriander to understand details. 

What's the problem?

1. Jaggery (Gur) : When compared to sugar, which provides only empty calories, jaggery is considered to be a superior natural sweetener. Sugar is definitely one of the causes of many chronic diseases, but jaggery too needs to be consumed in moderate amounts. What you would consume is just about a tbsp (18 g) or a tsp (6 g). While those with heart diseases and weight loss can have a dessert made with this quantity of jaggery occasionally as an option to refined sugar, but diabetics need to avoid this sweetener too as it can spike blood sugar levels instantly. Read is jaggery healthy for complete details.  

2. Vegetable Oils : To some vegetable oil is only soyabean oil, while some promote it as a mix of oils like soyabean, canola, sunflower, corn and other omega-6 rich oils. These are often cheaper options than many oils, but they are highly processed oils. They are undoubtedly not to be reached out for, whether you are looking for salad dressings, sautéing or cooking.  The 5 best oils used in cooking are olive oil (low temperature short time cooking), avocado oil, canola oil, coconut oil and peanut oil. You must read the super article to find the facts of  which oil is the healthiest avoid vegetable oil. 

Can Diabetics, Heart patients and over weight individuals have dal dhokli?

Yes, dal dhokli is healthy for all. It's high in fiber and rich in protein which works well for diabetics. While it does have 366 calories, this is really a meal by itself. For safety, diabetics can cut the fat levels added to the recipe by a bit.

Is dal dhokli suitable for a healthy life style?

Yes, this is a meal by itself. It has dal + dhokli which is filling. Pair this with a glass of chass and your meal is complete. Happy eating. 

Chaas, Buttermilk Recipe, Salted Chaas Recipe

dal dhokli is good for

1. Healthy Lifestyle

2. Weight loss

3. Diabetics

4. Heart Patients

5. Pregnancy

6. Kids

Dal Dhokli is high in

1. Fiber : Dietary fiber reduce the risk of heart disease, prevent the spike in blood sugar levels and hence super for diabetics. Consume more fruits, vegetables, moong, oats, matki, whole grains.

2. Folic Acid : Folic acid is an essential vitamin required throughout pregnancy.

3. Vitamin B1 : Vitamin B1 protects nerves, helps in carbohydrate metabolism, prevents heart diseases and helps produce red blood cells.

4. Magnesium : Magnesium is required for formation of bones and teeth. helps in the metabolism of calcium and potassium.

5. Phosphorous : Phosphorous works closely with calcium to build bones. 

6.  Vitamin B3 :  Vitamin B3 helps in brain functioning and mental health. Also healthy skin formation. 

Note : a recipe is deemed high in a Vitamin or mineral if it meets 20% and above the recommended daily allowance based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

How to burn 366 calories that come from one serving of Dal Dhokli?

Walking (6 kmph) = 1 hrs 50 mins

Running (11 kmph) = 37 mins

Cycling (30 kmph) = 49 mins       

Swimming (2 kmph) = 1 hr 3 mins

Note: These values are approximate and calorie burning differs in each individual.