Yoga Life
Dal Dhokli (Spiced Dal with Wheat Dumplings)
A wholesome dal dhokli from the Wholesome Living Through Food series — comforting, complete one-pot comfort food inspired by Ayurveda.
Dal dhokli is a comforting one-pot dish of spiced toor dal simmered with soft wheat-flour dumplings (dhokli). Wholesome and complete — protein from the dal, grains from the dumplings — it's a satisfying, nourishing meal, lovely after a yoga practice.
Ingredients
- for the dal: 1/2 cup toor dal, soaked about 1 hour
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder
- a pinch of hing (asafoetida)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- about 1 tbsp peanuts
- about 2 cups water
- for the tempering: 1 tbsp oil + 1 tsp ghee
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 dried red chillies, halved
- 2 green chillies, slit
- a pinch of hing
- a few curry leaves
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp red chilli powder, 1 tsp coriander powder
- for the dhokli: wheat flour seasoned with salt, turmeric and a little oil, kneaded, rolled thin and cut into diamonds
Method
- 1
Pressure-cook the soaked toor dal with the turmeric, hing, salt, peanuts and about 2 cups water for 4-5 whistles until soft and mushy. Set aside.
- 2
For the tempering, heat the oil and ghee, crackle the mustard and cumin, then add the red and green chillies, hing and curry leaves. Add the tomatoes and cook until mushy, then stir in the turmeric, chilli powder and coriander powder.
- 3
Add the cooked dal to the tempering with extra water to a soup-like consistency and simmer.
- 4
Make a soft seasoned wheat-flour dough, roll it thin and cut into small diamonds (dhokli). Drop them into the simmering dal and cook until the dumplings are soft and cooked through. Serve hot.
From the Wholesome Living Through Food series, dal dhokli is a comforting, Ayurveda-inspired one-pot meal — spiced dal simmered with soft wheat-flour dumplings. It's a perfect, complete dish to nourish the body after a yoga practice.
Why it's nourishing
Dal dhokli is a complete meal in one pot — protein and fibre from the toor dal, wholesome grains from the wheat dumplings, and warming spices to tie it together. Comforting and satisfying, it's the kind of grounding food that restores you after activity.
More recipes from Hema Subramanian and The Home Cooking Show →
Frequently asked questions
- What is dhokli?
- Dhokli are soft dumplings made from seasoned wheat-flour dough — rolled thin, cut into diamonds and simmered directly in the spiced dal until cooked, so they soak up all the flavour.
- Is dal dhokli a complete meal?
- Yes — it combines protein and fibre from the dal with grains from the wheat dumplings in one pot, making it a satisfying, balanced meal on its own.
References
- Bhagavad Gita 17.8-10 — sattvic food that nourishes life, strength and health · Classical text — The yogic view that wholesome, simple food supports a clear mind and healthy body.