Odia Dalma Recipe

Odia Dalma Recipe

      Dalma is a basic yet wholesome and delicious lentil preparation that originates from Odisha. It is famous for one major reason - it is served in the Jagannath Puri temple as prasad and is one of the main dishes out of the 56 items served to Lord Jagannath.

      Regional variations help in easily distinguishing dishes from one another. In this case, it is Dalma and it's neighbour, the Bengali Cholar Dal. In Dalma,  lots of vegetables are added whereas in Cholar Dal its only split chickpeas (chana dal) and no vegetables. Also, the main flavor of Dalma is from the roasted jeera and chilli powder which is not added in cholar dal. Check out home chef Tapti's recipe to make Dalma at home!

INGREDIENTS -

• 1 cup Split Pigeon Peas (Toor Dal), soaked
• ½ cup Pumpkin, cubed
• ½ cup Brinjal, cubed
• ½ cup Potatoes, cubed
• ½ cup Pointed Gourd (Parwal), cubed
• ½ cup Radish, cubed
• ½ cup Beans, cubed
• ½ cup Tomatoes, cubed
• 2 tbsp Grated Ginger
• ¾ cup Grated Fresh Coconut
• 1 tbsp Cumin Seeds (Jeera)
• 5-6 Dry Red Chillies
• 2 tbsp Ghee
• 1 tsp Panch Phoron (5-spice)
• 2 pinches of Asafoetida (Hing)
• 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
• Salt, as required

METHOD:

1. Add dal, all the vegetables, ginger, salt and turmeric in a pressure cooker and cook for 1-2 whistles.

2. Dry roast cumin seeds and dry red chillies. Make a coarse powder in the mixer grinder.

3. In a pan, heat ghee. Once the ghee is hot, add two pinches of asafoetida and panch phoron. When everything starts crackling add the boiled vegetables and dal.

4. Now add the coarse powder and grated coconut. Adjust the seasoning and boil for 2-3 minutes.

5. Serve hot Dalma with freshly prepared steamed rice.

                                                                                                                                        Enjoyfood!