Like many of us, Twinkle Khanna cherishes spending time with family. Recently, she and her sister Rinke packed their bags for a refreshing weekend at a wellness retreat. Sharing a glimpse of their adventure on Instagram, the actor-author wrote, “Birds of a feather twin together. Don’t miss our jelly shoes 🙂 Is there a greater joy than escaping adult responsibilities with someone who gets all your jokes and makes you laugh until you cry? This weekend, I had a magical time with my sister.”

Reflecting on their weekend, she added: “We broke our diets with gatte ki sabzi, indulged in some retail therapy, and even got locked in a public toilet! Who’s the one person who turns all your trips into adventures?”

Curious about the dish they enjoyed, we looked into what makes ‘gatte ki sabzi’ a worthy cheat meal.

The unique taste and texture of gatte ki sabzi, a classic Rajasthani dish, are well-known. It’s made with protein-rich besan (gram flour) dumplings cooked in a tangy yogurt-based curry.

“The addition of spices like coriander, cumin, and turmeric not only enhances the flavor but also aids digestion, making the dish filling and easy on the stomach,” explained Chef Ruffy Shaikh, senior sous chef at ITC Grand Central, Mumbai.

The fiber in the dish helps with digestion and keeps you feeling full, while the protein content supports muscle building and repair. Additionally, yogurt provides probiotics that help maintain gut health, said Chef Shaikh, adding that this recipe can be prepared with very little oil.

Ingredients

For the Gatte:

• 1 cup gram flour
• 1 tsp carom seeds
• ½ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• ½ tsp cumin seeds
• ¼ tsp asafoetida
• 1 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed

For the Gravy:

• 1 cup yogurt
• 1 tbsp gram flour
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• ½ tsp mustard seeds
• ¼ tsp asafoetida
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Method

To prepare the gatte:

1. Mix gram flour, carom seeds, red chili powder, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, asafoetida, salt, and oil in a bowl.
2. Gradually add water and knead into a firm dough.
3. Divide the dough into equal portions and roll into cylinders.
4. Boil water in a large pot, add a pinch of salt, and cook the gatte rolls for about 10-12 minutes.
5. Remove them, let cool, and then cut into small pieces.

To prepare the gravy:

1. Whisk yogurt and gram flour together in a bowl to ensure there are no lumps.
2. Heat oil in a pan and add asafoetida, mustard seeds, and cumin seeds. Let them splutter.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté until the raw smell disappears.
4. Stir in coriander, red chili, and turmeric powders. Mix well.
5. Gradually add the yogurt mixture, stirring continuously to prevent curdling.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer.
7. Add the gatte pieces to the simmering gravy. Cook for 10-15 minutes to allow the gatte to absorb the flavors.

Chef Tips:

• To avoid curdling, gradually add the yogurt mixture while stirring constantly.
• Let the gravy simmer for a while to enhance the flavors.