Sunita Williams craves mom's Dal Dhokli after returning from space mission ¡ª here's how to ace the recipe!

When NASA astronaut Sunita Williams touched down after a surprise nine-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS), her family wasn't just excited about her safe return ¡ª they were buzzing about what she¡¯d be eating first. Spoiler alert: it¡¯s not a fancy space meal but a humble yet iconic Gujarati dish ¡ª Dal Dhokli ¡ª made by none other than her mom!

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After facing technical hiccups with Boeing¡¯s Starliner that extended her ISS stay, Williams finally made it back to Earth on the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, splashing down off the Florida coast. While space agencies managed her safe return, her family back home was busy planning the real mission ¡ª a warm, hearty, home-cooked Gujarati feast!

Why Dal Dhokli is more than just food

Imagine a steaming bowl of lentils simmered with earthy spices, soft wheat dough dumplings floating in it ¡ª that's Dal Dhokli for you. Comfort, nostalgia, and a splash of tangy-sweet goodness, all in one pot. It's a dish that Gujaratis often whip up on lazy Sundays or rainy days ¡ª a warm hug in a bowl, really.

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For Williams, who famously carried samosas to space, this dish hits different. As her sister-in-law, Falguni Pandya, shared with the Republic Media Network, "No one can match her mother¡¯s cooking," emphasizing that Dal Dhokli will be the centerpiece of the homecoming meal. Pandya even joked that after surviving on space rations, this would be a "samosa party, but with Dal Dhokli leading the menu."

What¡¯s the hype about Sunita Williams¡¯ favourite dish Dal Dhokli?

Dal Dhokli is more than just food ¡ª it¡¯s a feeling. Typically served on slow afternoons when families gather, it's a dish that¡¯s meant to be savored. The preparation involves cooked dal (lentils) spiced with mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves, and a hint of jaggery or lemon for that classic Gujarati balance of sweet and tangy. Wheat flour dough is rolled, cut into diamond shapes, and added to the simmering dal, creating hearty dumplings.

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Traditionally enjoyed with ghee and a squeeze of lime, Dal Dhokli is an ideal blend of flavors and textures. It¡¯s like desi pasta ¡ª comfort food with a twist. And if it can satisfy an astronaut who¡¯s traveled beyond our planet, it's got to be worth trying!

Ingredients for Dal Dhokli

Ingredients: 1 cup toor dal (split pigeon peas), 1 tbsp ghee, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, curry leaves, green chilies, ginger (chopped), 1 tbsp jaggery, Lemon juice, Salt, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, 1 cup wheat flour (for the dhokli), Water

Recipe of Dal Dhokli

Step 1: Pressure cook toor dal with water, salt, and turmeric. Mash it once cooked.

Step 2: Prepare the dhokli dough with wheat flour, salt, chili powder, turmeric, and water. Roll it out, cut into diamonds, and keep aside.

Step 3: In a large pot, heat ghee, add mustard seeds, cumin, curry leaves, and green chilies.

Step 4: Pour in the mashed dal, add water to adjust consistency, and let it boil.

Step 5: Add jaggery, lemon juice, red chili powder, and coriander powder.

Step 6: Drop the dhokli pieces gently into the simmering dal. Let them cook for 10-12 minutes.

Step 7: Garnish with chopped coriander and serve hot with ghee.

Sunita Williams' next steps: A trip to India?

While the idea of visiting India in 2025 is still tentative, her family hinted at a possible trip where Williams hopes to reconnect with her roots and, undoubtedly, indulge in even more homemade delights. If there¡¯s a meet-and-greet, someone should definitely bring her a steaming bowl of Dal Dhokli.