Can anyone help me with advice on how to steam Dhoklas?

I have a pressure cooker and I put my two Dhokla dishes on their stand in the cooker and put the pressure cooker lid on. I do not put the pressure weight on the cooker. I then steam for 10 mins or so. But without much success.

The problem is the Dhokla's never rise. They are always flat. I've tried a number of recipes including using Eno but I think I am not steaming them correctly because I've never managed to get thick spongy dhokla ...

Any advice on my little problem will be received with much appreciation !

Many thanks

Sanjay

Hello Sanjay

Any tray which will fit in a pressure cooker, on top of a trivet will do for making Dhokla. Pour your batter, which should not be too runny, it should be of a thick and dropping consistency, into a flat tray or a sandwich cake tin. The tray should be only half full, leaving enough space for it to rise. Place it on a trivet and close the pressure cooker lid. Do not put the weight. Steam for approx. 15 minutes. The way to test is just like when making a cake. It should ?spring back? when pressed gently and knife inserted should come out clean.

You can make perfectly good dhoklas in a microwave, in a microwave suitable steamer. The wholes in the tray should be small, so that the batter does not leak down.

You can also make individual dhoklas in an Idli steamer.

The reason your Dhokla does not rise is probably because it does not have enough raising agent. In traditional dhoklas, this is provided by fermented yoghurt. If you are in a hurry, you can add baking powder/ENU fruit salt etc. Take a look at one of these two recipes, both work, because I have used them; Dhokla 1 and

Dhokla 2.

Dhokla 3 is the one with ENO.

Mamta

1. More raising agent to use?

2. Pan with steamer on top plus foil cake sanwich tins. Two layers acheived in one steam by separating with bamboo skewers cut to fit width of pan.

3. Keep a good seal on the steamer. I dont even check/look for at least 15 minutes.

4)) Two UK companies have the steamers in stock now (July 2009) or in 4-5 weeks. Do an internet search: i)"Red---" ?25+ ?5p&p ii)"Spices--" ?40 but I found the trays a bit shallow so will still use the foil victoria sandwich trays.