Dalma

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Dalma is a medley of lentil and vegetables from Orissa. Privously I have posted the recipe for mooga dalma, which uses moong dal. Today is a typical dalma, I would be using arhar/toor dal, but you can also use channa dal for the recipe.

Ingredients:

  1. Arhar Dal: 1cup
  2. Potao: 1 medium cut into chunks
  3. Pumpkin: 1/2 cup cut into chunks
  4. Eggplant: 1/2 a medium sized cut into chunks
  5. Peas: 1/2 cup
  6. Carrot: 1 large cut into chunks
  7. Radish: 1 large cut into chunks
  8. Ginger: 1/2 inch grated
  9. Asafetida: a pinch
  10. Turmeric Powder: 1 tsp
  11. Tomato: 1 medium sliced
  12. salt to taste

For Tempering:

  1. Whole red chilli: 2
  2. Cumin seeds: 1 tsp
  3. Oil: 1 tbsp
  4. Ghee: 1tbsp

For flavor:

  1. Cumin Seeds: 4 tbsp
  2. Whole Dry Red Chilli: 10
Procedure:
Wash and soak the dal for 15-20 mins
In the mean while dry roast the 4 tbsp cumin seeds and 10 whole red chilli. Let it cool down and then make a fine powder out of it. We would actually need just 1 -2 tbsp of this powder but you can store it in a air tight container and use in other recipes like, mooga dalma, aloo jhatpat, santula.....
In a pressure cooker heat oil and ghee together, heating them together does not let the ghee get all smoky.
Add the whole cumin seeds and red chilli mentioned in the tempering list. 
As the spluttering stops add the asafetida powder.
Add grated ginger and all the vegetables except tomato.
Mix well and fry the vegetables for 4-5 mins.
Drain the soaked dal and add it to the vegetables.
Mix well and add salt to taste, turmeric powder, tomato and 2 1/2 cups of water.
Close the pressure cooker and bring it to full pressure.
The reduce the heat and let it cook for another 4-5 mins.
Let the pressure release on its own
Once the pressure is release completely remove the cover and give the dalma  a stir. 
If you feel the dalma is too dry add little more water and bring it to a boil.
Add the roasted cumin and red chilli powder to the dalma, and serve it hot with steamed rice or kanika. 
This even goes well with kakra, poori and paratha.


This is really quick and health. You can also alter the vegetables , like you can add long beans, arbi, yaam or even leave out some thing that you don't have.
If you don't have a pressure cooker or don't feel comfortable using it then use a deep bottom pan or a handi and follow the same recipe. The only thing is it would take a little more time and we would have to wait till the dal and veggies are cooked though.
So do try this healthy and yummy dish from Orissa and do let me know.
Till then happy Blogging
Rakhee


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