Dal Dhokli (Gujarati Lentil Stew with Spiced Wheat Pieces)
Soft spiced wheat flatbread pieces simmered in a tangy, lightly sweet dal. A comforting Gujarati one pot meal.
Made with Tarka dal base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time50 mins
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.86 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Mix both flours with the turmeric, ajwain, 1 tbsp oil and half a teaspoon of salt. Add about 90 ml cold water and knead to a firm dough. Rest for 15 minutes.
15 min - 2
Roll the dough as thin as you can into a large circle, then cut into small diamonds or squares.
- 3
Tip your ready made tarka dal base (see the base recipe) into a wide pan with the 300 ml water, the lemon juice and sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- 4
Drop in the dough pieces one at a time, stirring so they do not stick. Simmer for 12 to 15 minutes, until the pieces are soft and cooked through. Add water if it gets too thick.
14 min - 5
Heat the remaining oil in a small pan. Add the mustard seeds, cumin and curry leaves. When the seeds pop, pour the tarka over the dal.
1 min - 6
Stir in the coriander and serve hot.
Tips
- Roll the dhokli thin. Thick pieces stay doughy in the middle.
- Stir often while the dhokli cook, as the flour thickens the dal quickly.
- Loosen with hot water if it thickens as it stands.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 to 2 hours and keep in the fridge for up to 2 days. The pieces soak up liquid, so add a splash of water when reheating until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I make dal dhokli gluten free?
Yes. Make the dhokli with 150 g gluten free plain flour, a pinch of xanthan gum and the gram flour, but they will be more delicate, so simmer gently.
What is the sweet and sour flavour?
Gujarati dal often uses a little sugar or jaggery and lemon or tamarind. Taste at the end and adjust.
Can I use ready made chapatis?
Yes. Tear a couple of cooked wholemeal chapatis into pieces and simmer for 5 minutes. It is quicker but softer.
More made with tarka dal base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
