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Bowl of Gujarati dal dhokli with cilantro leaves.
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Authentic Gujarati Dal Dhokli (Instant Pot & Stovetop)

My family’s recipe for dal dhokli is one of the coziest traditional Gujarati comfort foods.  Made in an Instant Pot or stovetop ,it combines the goodness of lentils (dal) with wheat flour dumplings (dhokli) simmered in a flavorful, spiced broth with a secret ingredient.
This dish offers warmth, comfort, and a satisfying blend of textures and flavors.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Gujarati
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: authentic gujarati recipe, dal dhokli
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 248kcal
Author: Shilpa Joshi

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot
  • 1 small frying pan for tadka
  • 1 rolling board
  • 1 Rolling Pin

Ingredients

Dal

  • ¾ cup toor dal 150g
  • ¼ tsp fenugreek seeds methi seeds
  • 1½ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp cumin coriander powder
  • ½ tbsp green chili paste or finely chopped
  • ½ tbsp ginger paste or finely chopped
  • ½ cup crushed tomatoes (canned) or 1 medium tomato chopped
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • ¼ cup desiccated coconut 14g
  • ¼ cup raw peanuts 40g
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp garam masala powder

Dhokli

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour 145g
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp cumin coriander powder
  • ½ tsp red chili powder
  • 1 tbsp oil I used canola
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 tbsp water TOTAL: ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons water
  • ¼ tsp asafoetida

Tadka/Vaghar (spices cooked in hot oil)

  • 3 tbsp oil I used canola
  • ¼ tsp mustard seeds
  • 3 cloves
  • 3 small pieces cinnamon
  • 8 curry leaves
  • ½ tsp asafoetida

Instructions

Instant Pot Dal Dhokli

  • Soak toor dal and fenugreek seeds overnight or atleast 2 hours. Drain and rinse just before use.
    Soaked toor dal and fenugreek seeds in a bowl.
  • Place toor dal, fenugreek seeds, and salt in inner pot of Instant Pot and add water.
    Toor dal and fenugreek seeds in an Instant Pot with water.
  • Once cooked open Instant Pot and use an egg beater or whisk to turn the dal into a smooth creamy texture.
    Creamy toor dal in a pot.
  • Add remaining spices. Pressure cook for 7 minutes and let pressure release naturally.
    Spices added to dal in pressure cooker.
  • Combine whole wheat flour and spices in a mixing bowl. Create a well in the center and pour in the oil. Using either clean hands or a spoon, blend the ingredients together until well incorporated. Rub the mixture between your fingers to ensure thorough mixing of the oil.
    Whole wheat flour, spices, and oil in a pan.
  • Add water and knead for five minutes to form dough. Cover and let rest for five minutes.
    Dhokli dough in a bowl.
  • Separate the dough into four equal-sized portions. Roll out each portion thinly.
    Rolling out dhokli dough with a rolling pin.
  • Use a knife to cut each rolled out dough portion. I did squares to keep it simple. You can do diamonds, triangles, any shape.
    Cut dhokli dough into squares.
  • Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and allow them to crackle before introducing cloves and cinnamon sticks to the pan. Stir gently as the spices release their aroma for about 30 seconds. Toss in fresh curry leaves and sauté until they become crisp. Sprinkle a pinch of asafoetida into the pan and stir well, cooking for an additional 10-15 seconds until fragrant.
    Tadka in a small frying pan.
  • Remove the pan from heat and immediately pour the tadka over the prepared dal dhokli, gently stirring to distribute the flavors.
    Tadka in dal.
  • Add cut dhokli to the Instant Pot. Close and pressure cook for 3 minutes to help meld the flavors together. Let it naturally release pressure.
    Dal dhokli in an Instant Pot.
  • Added chopped fresh cilantro. Serve dal dhokli warm on its own or with basmati rice, Indian mango pickle, and/or papad.
    White bowl of dal dhokli with a spoon.

Nutrition

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 797mg | Potassium: 109mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 27mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg