Dalma ~ A super-healthy oriyan Lentil Dish

Dalma is a classic lentil dish from Indian state of Orissa. This dish is made with different kinds of lentils, like with moong dal or Toor dal(pigeon peas) and with lots of veggies like potato, raw banana, pumpkin, brinjal, radish, green papaya and arum/taro root added.
This is the first time I am trying this classic lentil dish. When I googled the recipe, this recipe reminded me of one bengali lentil dish. In bengal, we also make moong dal with vegetables but not with so many varieties of vegetables added. I loved the dish, no doubt a completely healthy lentil dish, goes perfectly well with steamed rice and I must say, a pure comfort food. Believe me or try yourself.

You Need :

Moong dal : 1/2 cup

Dry red chillies : 2

Cumin seeds: 1 tblsp.

Ginger : 1 inch piece, grated
Green Chillies : 2, chopped

Tomato : 1, medium

Turmeric powder : 2 tsp.

Red Chilli Powder : 1 tsp.

Cumin Powder : 1 tsp.

Salt to taste

Oil/Ghee(clarified Butter) : 1 tblsp. [Ghee is preffered for authentic taste]

Vegetables of your choice(I used these) : 2 cups

Pumpkin

Sweet potato

Green papaya

Plantain/green banana

Radish

Green Beans

Carrots

Capsicum

How To :

Cut the vegetables in medium size dices. Dry-fry the moong dal in a pan(without any oil used), with continuous stirring until lentils turn light brown. Remove and soak this fried dal/lentil for some time.

Heat ghee in a pressure cooker/pan. Add dry red chillies and cumin seeds and let it splutter for 10 seconds.Then add the grated ginger, green chillies and vegetables. Stir and fry it for a minute adding little salt and turmeric powder. Add chopped tomato and mix well. Add the soaked moong dal, cumin powder and chilli powder.