Like most people, I regularly eat oatmeal for breakfast. When it is cold outside (and I will note that it is 37 degrees outside as I type this in mid-April), there is nothing more satisfying than a warm bowl of oatmeal to start your day. In Indian cuisine there is a dish that is very similar to oatmeal: sweet dalia.
Dalia is the Hindi word for a porridge made of "cracked wheat," or crushed raw wheat kernels. Wheat gets a bad rap for being a carbohydrate, but this is exactly the kind of carbohydrate your body needs: unprocessed whole grains! Bob's Red Mill makes cracked wheat and you should be able to find it in your local grocery store.
Traditionally, sweet dalia is made with milk and sugar; sometimes cardamom and walnuts are added as well. To make mine a bit healthier and more "breakfast-y," I added fresh strawberries instead of sugar. I also used almond milk, but real milk is just fine of course.
Traditionally, sweet dalia is made with milk and sugar; sometimes cardamom and walnuts are added as well. To make mine a bit healthier and more "breakfast-y," I added fresh strawberries instead of sugar. I also used almond milk, but real milk is just fine of course.
Toast the cracked wheat in a pot over low heat for 5 to 7 minutes. The cracked wheat will turn a golden brown and slightly fragrant. Make sure you don't burn it!
Add water and bring it to a boil. Then, keeping the lid on, turn down the heat and let the water simmer until it is absorbed by the cracked wheat.
While the water reduces, roughly chop the pecans and dice the strawberries.
Once the water has been absorbed, test the texture of the cracked wheat. If you want it to be softer, add more water and let it become absorbed. Keep doing this until it is at the consistency you want.
Once the cracked wheat is at the appropriate consistency, add the almond milk. Bring the almond milk to a boil and then let it simmer for a few minutes to allow it to thicken. If you want it to have a creamier and milkier consistency, you can add more almond milk. The strawberries and pecans will absorb some of the almond milk, so keep it slightly more milkier than you want it to be in the end.
Once the cracked wheat is at the appropriate consistency, add the almond milk. Bring the almond milk to a boil and then let it simmer for a few minutes to allow it to thicken. If you want it to have a creamier and milkier consistency, you can add more almond milk. The strawberries and pecans will absorb some of the almond milk, so keep it slightly more milkier than you want it to be in the end.
Remove the cracked wheat and almond milk into a bowl. Add the chopped pecans and diced strawberries.
Voila! I like the addition of dalia to my morning routine because it has a crunchier texure and a nuttier flavor than oatmeal.
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PDFIngredients (serves 1-2):
- 1/4 cup cracked wheat
- 1/4 cup pecans or walnuts
- 4 to 5 medium strawberries
- 3/4 cup water (more if needed)
- 3/4 cup almond milk (more if needed)
Recipe:
- Toast the cracked wheat in a pot over low heat until golden brown, being careful not to burn it (roughly 5 to 7 minutes).
- Add water to the pot and bring it to a boil. Keep the lid on and simmer the water until absorbed.
- While the water is reduced, chop the pecans and dice the strawberries.
- Once the water is absorbed, check the texture of the cracked wheat to ensure it is to your desired texture. If it is not soft enough, add more water 1/4th a cup at a time.
- When the cracked wheat is the proper texture, add the almond milk and bring it to a boil. Keep the lid on and simmer the almond milk until it thickens slightly.
- Move the cracked wheat and almond milk to a bowl and add the pecans and strawberries.
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