Here’s a simple and flavorful recipe for Daleem, a traditional dish popular in South Asian cuisine, especially during Ramadan:
Ingredients:
- For the Daleem:
- 1 cup split yellow lentils (moong dal)
- 1 cup split chickpeas (chana dal)
- 1 cup wheat (cracked or whole)
- 500g meat (beef or chicken, cut into pieces)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2-3 green chilies, slit (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 4-5 cups water (adjust for consistency)
- Fresh coriander, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
- For Tempering:
- 2-3 tablespoons ghee or oil
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 1-2 green chilies, slit
- Fresh coriander or mint (for garnish)
Instructions:
Prepare the Lentils and Wheat:
- Soak:
- Soak the split lentils, chickpeas, and wheat in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse.
Cook the Daleem:
- Pressure Cook:
- In a large pot or pressure cooker, add the soaked lentils, chickpeas, wheat, meat, chopped onion, green chilies, ginger-garlic paste, cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, salt, and water.
- If using a pressure cooker, cook on high for about 15-20 minutes. If using a regular pot, simmer until the meat is tender and the lentils and wheat are soft (about 1-1.5 hours). Add more water if necessary to achieve the desired consistency.
Blend and Finish:
- Blend:
- Once cooked, use an immersion blender to blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. If you like a chunkier texture, blend only partially.
- Adjust Consistency:
- Add more water if needed to reach your preferred consistency, then simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes.
Tempering:
- Prepare Tempering:
- In a separate pan, heat ghee or oil. Add sliced onions and fry until golden brown. Add slit green chilies and fry for another minute.
- Combine:
- Pour the tempered mixture over the cooked daleem. Stir well.
Serve:
- Garnish:
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander. Accompany with lemon wedges and naan or rice.
Enjoy your delicious Daleem!