Working out routinely with the inclusion of a wide variety of weight training, aerobics, and strength-based exercises surely helps in shedding pounds, but the weight loss journey can never be complete without a well-charted diet plan. While it is literally a struggle to shed those extra kilos and attain fitness, but the truth is that by incorporating the right kind of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fibre and protein in your daily diet, one can obtain the desired results in quite a short span of time. The basic idea is to stick to the routine religiously and keep a wide variety of food options to avoid making the diet dull and in turn make the weight-loss journey an interesting one!
While the major mealtimes can be well-sorted and has a wide variety of cooking options, one thing that really troubles a weight loss plan is the snacking time preferences. People around the world have this typical notion that Indian snacks are usually oily, spicy, and fattening, and hence have a negative impact on health and lifestyle. Of course, there’s a rich variety of oily snacking choices from each region of the subcontinent, but to affirm that all Indian snacks are the same is like confirming all cheeses are alike. Indian cuisine is one of the most ambidextrous cuisines all over the world that portrays a bevy of gastronomical options that are not only delicious but also healthy. One such nutritious snacking option from the land of Khakda and Fefda (a.k.a Gujarat) is the humble Dhokla.
Light, spongy and oil-free, the nutrient-dense Dhokla has not only carved a niche of its own in the Indian menu but also earned International fame owing to its amazing texture and mouth-watering flavour.
What Else?
Dhokla is high in fibre and protein and keeps you full and satiated for a long and prevents overeating at odd times. Having a low glycaemic index and just 150 calories per serving, it makes for an ideal option for building lean muscle mass and helping shed fat in no time.
Dhokla is a steamed snack that is quite versatile and can be easily whipped into different varieties with the inclusion of different types of ingredients.
We bring you two different variations of Dhokla; one, the original Khaman dhokla made of besan and the other, made of gram flour but both extremely tasteful, healthy and great for including in a weight loss diet.
Easy Nutritious Dhokla Recipe
Khaman Dhokla
Ingredients (2 servings)
For Batter:
1 cup gram flour or besan
3/4 cup water
3/4 tsp baking soda
For Tempering:
1 tsp refined oil
20 curry leaves
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp salt
For Garnishing
5 sliced green chilli (sliced vertically)
1 handful of coriander leaves (chopped)
2 tsp freshly grated coconut
Method:
Take a large bowl and add besan, salt, water, lemon juice and baking soda to it
Whip all these ingredients well to get a smooth batter
Let the batter ferment for 1-2 hours
Pour boiled water into a steamer and smear the utensil from the inside with oil
Pour the dhokla batter into the greased utensil and cook it under low flame in a steamer for 15-20 minutes
Poke the cooked batter with a toothpick after 15 minutes to check if it is well cooked (the toothpick comes out clean if the dhokla is well cooked)
Remove the cooked batter from the stove and then cut it into squares after it has cooled down
Next, for the tempering, heat oil in a pan over a medium flame
Once the oil is moderately hot, temper the mustard seeds, curry leaves and green chilli
Add ½ cup of water to the pan and allow it to boil for sometime
After boiling it for some time, lower the flame and squeeze ½ lemon into it
Add sugar and some chopped coriander leaves and green chillies according to your spice level
Turn off the stove and gradually pour the tempering on the dhokla and sprinkle the freshly grated coconut over the dish.
Serve the dhokla hot or cold with any spicy chutney of your choice
Nutrition
Enriched in fibre and proteins, besan reduces the risk of cardiac diseases, keeps you satiated for a long time and is an ideal ingredient in a weight loss diet. While mustard seed diminishes the incidence of cancer and oxidative damage, curry leaves infused with antioxidants deals with stomach troubles, and blesses you with great skin and hair.
Chickpea (Sattu) Dhokla
Ingredients
For Batter:
1 cup chickpea flour or sattu
½ cup curd or as required
1 tsp vegetable oil
½ teaspoon sugar
1 tsp baking soda
Pinch of salt or as required
Water as per requirement
For Tempering:
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp sesame seeds
½ tsp grated ginger
10-15 curry leaves
1 pinch of hing or asafoetida
2- 3 tbsp water
½ tbsp oil
For Garnishing:
3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
1-2 tbsp fresh grated coconut
Method:
Soak the chickpea in water overnight to soften it
Whip the soaked chickpeas, curd, sugar, salt, and turmeric and add some water in a mixer until the batter reaches a medium-thick consistency
Add the baking powder-water mixture to the batter and let it settle for 1-2 hours so that it swells up
Grease a steaming tray with oil from the inside and pour the batter into it
Now steam the batter for 15 to 20 minutes until it gets cooked properly
Use a toothpick to see if the dhokla batter is properly cooked
In a pan, add 1 tbsp oil, mustard seeds, sesame seeds, ginger, chilli, hing and curry leaves and let it splutter for some time
Once the dhokla has cooled off, slice it into squares and pour the tempered tadka on it
Now garnish it with chopped coriander leaves and grated coconut sprinkles
Serve the dhokla with hot and sweet tamarind or coriander chutney for added taste
Nutrition:
This nutrient-dense Chickpea flour dhokla is an ideal nutritious breakfast item or an evening snack option. Easy to prepare, this variety of dhokla is abundant with proteins, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals. While mustard, sesame seeds and hing calms the digestive fire in the stomach and deters flatulence, coriander promotes digestion. Ginger regulates blood sugar, and coconut promotes weight loss and strengthens the bones.
