Besan Muthiya Recipe

on



Besan Muthiya Recipe | Gujarati Steamed Snack | Healthy Tea-Time Delight

There’s something timeless about Gujarati snacks — light, flavourful, and made with ingredients that always seem to be lying quietly in every Indian kitchen. One such classic is Besan Muthiya, soft steamed dumplings made from gram flour, spices, and a hint of greens.

The word “muthiya” comes from “muthi”, meaning fist — because the dough is shaped by gently pressing it in your hand before steaming. Simple, nourishing, and endlessly versatile, Besan Muthiya makes for the perfect breakfast, tiffin, or tea-time companion.

Why You’ll Love Besan Muthiya

  • ✅ Steamed & healthy – low oil, high satisfaction

  • ✅ Rich in protein – thanks to gram flour

  • ✅ Ready in under 30 minutes

  • ✅ Crisp outside, soft inside – perfect texture balance

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the Dough:

  • 1 cup besan (gram flour)

  • 2 tbsp semolina (optional, for texture)

  • ½ cup grated bottle gourd (lauki) or finely chopped spinach/methi

  • 1 tbsp curd

  • 1 tbsp oil

  • ½ tsp turmeric powder

  • 1 tsp red chilli powder

  • 1 tsp coriander powder

  • ½ tsp carom seeds (ajwain)

  • Salt to taste

  • ½ tsp baking soda (optional, for fluffiness)

  • Water as needed

For Tempering:

  • 1 tbsp oil

  • ½ tsp mustard seeds

  • 1 tsp sesame seeds

  • A few curry leaves

  • 1–2 green chillies, slit

  • Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Prepare the Dough

  • In a large bowl, mix besan, semolina, lauki/spinach, curd, oil, and all spices.

  • Add a little water at a time and knead into a soft, slightly sticky dough.

  • If using baking soda, add it just before steaming.

2. Shape the Muthiya

  • Grease your palms with oil.

  • Divide the dough and shape e into cylindrical logs or small oval dumplings using your fist.

3. Steam

  • Place the muthiyas in a greased steamer plate.

  • Steam for 15–18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

  • Allow them to cool, then slice into bite-sized pieces.

4. Tempering (Tadka)

  • Heat oil in a pan, and add mustard seeds.

  • Once they splutter, add sesame seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies.

  • Toss in the sliced muthiyas and sauté lightly till golden.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve hot with green chutney, sweet tamarind chutney, or plain curd.

  • Great as a tea-time snack or lunchbox addition.

  • It can be enjoyed plain if you prefer a steamed, oil-free version.

Tips & Variations

  • Replace besan with wheat flour + besan mix for a nuttier flavour.

  • If you don’t relish a sweet-and-sour taste, skip tamarind or jaggery in chutney.

  • Add grated carrots or cabbage for extra texture.

  • Leftover muthiya can be lightly pan-fried the next morning — they turn into a crispy treat!

Author’s Note

There’s a quiet comfort in holding a warm plate of muthiyas — their gentle spice, the scent of curry leaves, the crisp hiss of sesame in hot oil. Dishes like these remind us that health doesn’t have to be joyless; it can be as simple as a handful of besan, a bit of lauki, and a little love.

Neerja Bhatnagar

If you're looking for interesting and effective content on mental health, parenting, lifestyle, reviews, and more, consider subscribing to my other blog, Neerja's Musings.

Feel free to connect with me on social media to stay updated on more content like this.

Instagram | Facebook | YouTube |Twitter |Podcast

I have written 3 solo books and 3 anthologies. You can buy my books on Amazon. If you are on Kindle Unlimited, you can read them for free. Pls, do check and share your reviews.

Comments

Post a Comment