By Ujjainee Roy
April 22, 2024
If you're looking for nutritious and simple one-pot meals that can be consumed all year-round, you need to explore dalma. This Odia lentil curry has the goodness of dal and the proteins from seasonal veggies like pumpkin, spinach etc. Let's go through its recipe.
– 1 cup split pigeon peas – 1/2 teaspoon turmeric – 1 tablespoon ghee or oil – 1 teaspoon mustard seeds – 1 teaspoon cumin seeds – 2-3 dried red chilies – 1 onion, finely chopped – 2-3 garlic cloves, minced – 1-inch piece of ginger – 2-3 green chilies, slit – 1 tomato, chopped – 1 potato, peeled and diced – 1 carrot, peeled and diced – 1/2 cup chopped pumpkin – 1/2 cup chopped beans – 1/2 cup chopped spinach
Rinse the toor dal under running water until the water runs clear. In a pressure cooker or pot, combine the rinsed dal, water, and turmeric powder. Cook for about 3-4 whistles or cook in a pot until the dal is soft
Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and grated ginger. Sauté until the onions turn translucent. Add slit green chilies and chopped tomato. Add diced potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, beans, cauliflower, and any other vegetables you're using. Stir well to coat the vegetables.
Add salt to taste and a teaspoon of sugar if desired. Sugar helps balance the flavors. Covuer and cook the vegetables for about 5-7 minutes until they are partially cooked.
Once the vegetables are partially cooked, add the cooked dal to the pot. Stir well to combine. Add chopped spinach and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
Simmer the Dalma for a few more minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves or coconut flakes. Serve hot with steamed rice or roti.