Add the semolina, yogurt, green chili, ginger, water, salt, sugar, and oil in a medium bowl. Whisk until everything is well combined.
Cover the bowl and set it aside for 20-30 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare a steamer or a large pot with a lid for steaming the dhokla. Put a metal ring or trivet in the center of the pot or steamer and pour 3 to 4 cups of water. On medium to high heat, bring water to a boil.
Grease the pan with the oil in which you will steam the dhokla.
After the batter has rested, add the lemon juice and fruit salt and whisk gently in one direction until the fruit salt is well incorporated. The batter should rise and become light. At this point, do not overmix and quickly add this whipped batter into the prepared pan and gently tap the pan a couple of times to level the batter.
Sprinkle the black pepper and red chili powder evenly over the batter. Put the pan immediately into the steamer or pot and close the lid. Let the dhokla steam for 15-20 minutes or until the knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove the pan from the steamer and let it rest for 10 minutes.
Tempering The Dhokla
In a small pan on medium heat, add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds and allow them to pop. Then add curry leaves, sesame seeds, and split chilis. Stir well and saute for a few seconds. Turn off the heat and pour the tempering all over the dhokla.
Garnish with the chopped coriander leaves, slice the dhokla, and serve.
Serving Suggestions
Rava Dhokla is best served with Coriander Chutney or Cilantro Mint Chutney.
For kids, you can serve the dhokla with tomato ketchup.
Or, if you like sour and sweet dipping, you can serve the dhokla with the date and tamarind chutney.
Rava Dhokla or Sooji Dhokla can be served for breakfast, after-school snacks, appetizers, or as a side for the Thali preparation.
Notes
Semolina / Rava: I have used fine semolina, but if you have coarse semolina, you can use that. Also, do not roast the Rava for this recipe.
Yogurt: Use sour yogurt for this recipe to gain that typical tangy taste of dhokla. If yogurt is not sour, dhokla will taste flat. You can use plain homemade yogurt or Greek yogurt for the recipe.
Consistency: The batter consistency should be almost similar to the Idli batter. So if your batter is too thick, add more water to adjust the consistency.
Do Not Overmix: After adding fruit salt, mix it in the batter gently and in one direction for a few seconds. When the batter is light and fluffy, stop mixing and quickly pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Eno Fruit Salt: Eno fruit salt is available at any Indian grocery store or online retail store. But if you cannot access Eno fruit salt, you can substitute ½ teaspoon baking soda and one extra teaspoon lemon juice.
Make-Ahead: Rava Dhokla can be made a day ahead and kept in the refrigerator. Heat them in a microwave for 30 to 40 seconds before serving.