Idna
When people think of Gujju food they often think about Dhokla, my understanding is that dhokla and idna are very closely related. My sister loves a plate of dhokla for lunch life gets too busy, it’s oddly comforting for her. These can be made a bunch of different ways, but this recipe is my favorite. I love it with whole chana dal for an added crunch. My family always makes their own rice flour and dal flours which has been a blessing for us all these years, but when I moved away I needed a dose of that comfort food. The dhokla flour from Swad is a great alternative if you don’t have flour ground at home, it yields the same spongey texture and retains a lot of that great homecooked flavor!
Idna
Idna are savory, steamed rice flour and ground lentil cakes that are spongy, spicy, and a little tart. Most kids grew up eating them in them for breakfast or lunch because they're quick to make and easy for little kids to chew and swallow. In the summer months these are delicious with a cold bowl of mango ras.
Equipment
- Steamer
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups dhokla flour
- 2 ½ cups water
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ cup neutral oil
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp crushed peanuts
- 2 tbsp chana dal
- 1 ½ tbsp ginger paste
- 1 tsp green chili paste or dry chili powder
- 1 tbsp fruit salt/Eno
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the fruit salt and sesame seeds. It should be a fairly loose, soupy consistency. Let it sit in your oven or on the countertop overnight.
- The next day, add fruit salt to the mixture and mix thoroughly. Grease all the steamer plates, and equally divide the mixture between all the steamer plates. Add a generous sprinkling of sesame seeds to the top of each steamer plate.
- In a large pot, pressure cooker, or instant pot place 1-2 cups of water and 1-2 slices of lime. You want the water to come up just below the bottom plate of your steamer, and that can be different with every vessel so just try your best to eyeball it. Steam for 18 minutes. If you are using a pressure cooker or instant pot do not place it in pressure cook mode or do not add the whistle. Just place the lid and let the water simmer or steam for 18 minutes.
