Surti Locho: A Steamed Savoury Gujrati Farsan To Snack On

Surti cuisine is known to be markedly vegetarian and replete with the plenty of fruits and vegetables grown in the region. Every meal is usually eaten with rice or a variety of flatbreads, accompanied by a mandatory glass of buttermilk or tea. These simple preparations are components of family-style meals, the often preferred way of eating within families with multiple members. The Surti locho, a steamed snack made with a gram flour batter, derives its name from the process of making khaman, which accidentally turned into a loose lump.

Legend has it that the dish is served with multiple toppings like sev, chopped onions, chutney and locho masala, so the chef who first created it, could mask his flaws. The locho is best eaten when warm, ideally for breakfast or as a tea time snack. It can be easily multiplied to feed more than four people and is completely free of any dietary restrictions due to it already being vegan and gluten-free.

Recipe:

Ingredients (for Locho):

• ¾ cup chana dal, soaked
• 2 green chillies
• 1 inch piece ginger
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons yoghurt
• Salt to taste
• Water as required

Ingredients (for Locho masala):

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• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon chaat masala

To serve:

• 2 tablespoons chopped onions
• 1 tablespoon green chutney
• 2 tablespoons sev
• 1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
• Ghee/butter
• Locho masala

Image Credits: Recipes Adda

Method:

• Soak the chana dal overnight in water and drain. Rinse it a couple of times before adding to a food processor along with the rest of the locho ingredients. Grind to a smooth paste and pour into a bowl before adding enough water to make a runny batter, like that of a crepe.
• Oil a plate or baking pan of your choice, large enough to accommodate all the batter and pour in the locho mix. Steam it for 12-15 minutes. You will notice that the consistency is slightly semi-solid, resembling that of a soft-set custard.
• Remove the pan from the steamer and scoop onto plates to serve hot. For the locho masala, simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and sprinkle over your steamed batter, along with other toppings.