Daal Dhokli Instant Pot Recipe

I absolutely love this daal dhokli recipe because it’s the ultimate comfort food, capturing the wholesome flavors of my mom’s kitchen with every bite. Plus, it’s perfect for impressing my friends with a hearty meal that combines nostalgia and nutrition in the most delicious way!

I enjoy preparing Daal Dhokli in the Instant Pot for a cozy dinner. Toor dal, which is high in protein and fiber, is delicious with the aromatic spices that go into it, such as cumin and mustard seeds.

My favorite part of the dish, though, is the pasta: the strips of whole wheat flour dough that soak up all the flavor. The dish is completed with a heaping teaspoon of jaggery, our favorite sweetener, which cozies up the spices just wonderfully.

Ingredients

Toor Dal (Pigeon Peas):
High-protein, high-fiber, and good for digestion—these are the reasons that make lentils a staple of Indian cooking.

Ghee:
A beneficial fat source, boosts flavor, and reputed for its digestive benefits.

Mustard Seeds:
These minuscule seeds are very high in antioxidants and impart a nutty flavor.

Hing (Asafoetida):
Employing its powerful scent and digestive components.

Turmeric Powder:
Includes curcumin, provides anti-inflammatory benefits, and contributes vivid coloration.

Jaggery:
A sweetener from nature, full of iron, assists in flavor balancing.

Lemon Juice:
Contributes an exhilarating tartness, high in Vitamin C, to the flavor profile.

Whole Wheat Flour:
Rich in fiber and offers a complex carbohydrate content that provides energy.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup toor dal (pigeon peas), rinsed
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons ghee or oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 pinch hing (asafoetida)
• 8-10 curry leaves
• 2 green chilies, slit
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon jaggery or sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
• 2 cups water (extra for cooking)
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (coriander leaves), for garnish
• For Dhokli:
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Water, as needed for the dough

Instructions

1. Prepare the Dhokli Dough:
In a mixing bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder, and salt. Add 2 tablespoons oil and mix. Gradually add water to form a soft dough. Cover and let it rest.

2. Cook the Dal:
Activate the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Add ghee or oil. Once it has reached the appropriate temperature, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and a pinch of hing. Let them crackle.

3. Sauté Aromatics:
Insert curry leaves, green chilies, and diced onion. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Mix in the chopped tomato, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, and 1 teaspoon coriander powder.

4. Pressure Cook Dal:
Combine the washed toor dal, 2 cups water, salt, jaggery, and lemon juice. Mix well. Cancel the sauté mode, and then set the Instant Pot to manual pressure cook on high for 8 minutes. Allow to naturally release pressure.

5. Prepare Dhokli:
Portion the dough into small pieces. Roll each piece into a thin circle and cut it into diamond or square shapes.

6. Add Dhokli to Dal:
The Instant Pot should be opened and set to the sauté mode. Into it should go 2 cups of extra water. The water should be allowed to come to a simmer before carefully adding the dhokli pieces. Gentle stirring at this point is necessary to prevent sticking.

7. Cook Dhokli:
Place a lid over the pot and allow the dhokli to simmer in the simmering dal for about 10 to 15 minutes. They should be cooked through and ready to eat when you remove the lid.

8. Add Peanuts:
Add the roasted peanuts and salt to taste.

9. Final Adjustments:
Ensure that the consistency of the daal is correct; if it is too thick, add more water and bring it to a boil. If you think it needs some extra flavor, you can adjust the seasoning with more salt, sugar, or lemon juice.

10. Garnish and Serve:
Switch off the Instant Pot. Serve hot and garnish with diced cilantro. Enjoy your Daal Dhokli with pickles or papad.

Equipment Needed

1. Mixing bowl
2. Spoon or spatula
3. Instant Pot
4. Knife
5. Cutting board
6. Measuring spoons
7. Rolling pin
8. Rolling board
9. Pot lid
10. Serving spoon

FAQ

• Q: Can I use another type of lentil instead of toor dal?Yes, you can use masoor dal (red lentils) or moong dal, but the cooking time may vary slightly.
• Q: How can I make this recipe vegan?A: Just substitute ghee with a plant-based oil like coconut oil or vegetable oil.
• Q: Is there a substitute for jaggery?You can substitute brown sugar for jaggery when you want something sweet that is very much like jaggery.
• Q: What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?You can use a stovetop pressure cooker to prepare the daal; be sure to modify the cooking time as needed.
• Q: Can I make Dhokli ahead of time?Yes, you can make the dough in advance and keep it in the refrigerator for as long as a day before using it.
• Q: How do I adjust the spice level?Modify the amount of green chilies and red chili powder to your taste.

Substitutions and Variations

1 cup of toor dal (pigeon peas), rinsed – If you do not have toor dal, you can use moong dal or masoor dal in its place.
Two tablespoons ghee or oil – You can use butter or any neutral cooking oil in place of this.
1 teaspoon mustard seeds – Replace with nigella seeds or cumin seeds (additional)
If you don’t have green chilies on hand, try using red chili flakes or a jalapeño pepper instead.
1 pinch hing (asafoetida) – If you do not have hing, you can replace it with garlic powder or leave the ingredient out altogether.

Pro Tips

1. Dhokli Dough Tip For softer dhokli, after adding water gradually to the flour mixture, let the dough rest for at least 20-30 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender texture.

2. Dal Consistency Tip If you prefer a creamier dal, mash a portion of the cooked dal with a ladle before adding the dough pieces. This will enhance the texture and help the dhokli pieces absorb more flavor.

3. Spice Adjustment Tip Adjust the heat by varying the number of green chilies and the amount of red chili powder. Start with the given amounts and add more to taste after the dal is cooked, if needed.

4. Roasted Peanuts Tip For even more flavor, lightly crush the roasted peanuts before adding them to the dal. This will allow more of their flavor to infuse into the dish and provide a slightly different texture.

5. Citrus and Sweetness Balance The lemon juice and jaggery are essential for balancing the flavors in the dish. Taste the dal before serving, and add a bit more of each as needed to achieve a perfect balance of tangy and sweet.