DALIA UPMA

Dalia is broken wheat made from whole raw wheat kernels crushed or cut into small pieces. There is extensive use of this food ingredient which makes a popular dietary supplement in many cultures, I know about my country. It carries a great deal of nutrition and fibre since it includes the fibre and nutrient rich outer bran and germ of the wheat. Use of dalia / broken wheat in diet helps keep our heart fit. It is used in  many ways in our food, it's made into khichdi, upma, kheer, soups along with assorted vegetables. I sourced this information from the WIKI [consult a doctor always] because as a Bengali, we did not eat Dalia  in our growing up years! Dalia got introduced in our family way later! In the present day, any grocery in Kolkata would sell it!

Dalia Upma with vegetables is a popular breakfast dish among the Indians. I prepare it often as it is a good source of iron, magnesium and phosphorous[consult a doctor], WIKI says. It is said to be more nutritious than rice as it contains more of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Besides, whenever this lady gets lazy, do not feel like rolling chapatis and puris, she tries her hands on upma, idli, dhokla. I enjoy a bowlful for my lunches!

In this dish, you are at the liberty to use a wide variety of veggies. I use whatever is available in my pantry on that particular day. Roasted peanuts, dry red chillies, curry leaves are compulsory in it's preparation. Using ghee as the cooking medium for this dish gives the best flavour but I wished to keep it vegan!

INGREDIENTS :

Dalia :100gm
Roasted Peanuts :1tbsp
Mustard Seeds : 1/4 tsp
Bengal Gram Dal : 1/4 tsp

Urad Dal : 1/4 tsp
Dry Red Chilli : 2
Curry Leaves : 7-8
Chopped Carrot : 1/2 Small Tea Cup
Green Peas : 1tbsp
Roasted Peanut : 2 tsp
Chopped Green Chilli : 1 tsp
Chopped Onion : 1tbsp
Oil : 2 tbsp

METHOD :

Take the required amount of dalia in a bowl. Wash the vegetables & curry leaves. Heat oil in wok, temper it with the Bengal gram dal, urad dal, mustard seeds, curry leaves.

As they splutter, add the onion pieces, saute for 2 minutes.

As they turn translucent, add carrots, add salt as required. Saute for 3 minutes. Once they are half done, add green peas, sweet corn & peanuts. Stir cook for sometime!

Now add dalia. Keep stirring for about 5 minutes until they are roasted well and you get a nutty smell.

As the dalia turns light brown, it is time to add water. Add water little at a time, about 1/2 a coffee mug!

The entire process is to undergo at low heat. You can see the dalia boiled, grew bigger after 6-7 minutes. Adjust salt, stir, switch off the gas stove. Transfer dalia upma to a plate, serve, have garnishing with shredded coconut!