Each morning is a race in India. The alarm rings again, but the snooze feature is used. Half of the tiffin is filled. A person is calling for breakfast. Poha again? Toast again? This is very quickly a routine because the same routine is very quickly boring. It’s something you’re likely to have experienced.
Use gram dal instead. It is inexpensive and substantial. It also contains a lot of protein. Soak it overnight, and you can enjoy breakfast without hassle.
Why Gram Dal Works at Breakfast
Gram dal tastes nutty, a little sweet. It will help you to feel full until lunchtime. Absorbs spices quite readily. It is a common ingredient in most Indian kitchens. A little help goes a long way.
Good to know:
Soak it for 4 – 6 hours.
It can be easily ground to a coarse batter.
Provides plant protein and fibre.
1. Gram Dal Cheela
Cheelas are savoury pancakes. They do not require any fermentation. Therefore, their preparation is extremely fast.
You will need:
1 cup gram dal, soaked
1 green chilli
½ inch ginger
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
Fold in chopped onion, coriander and grated carrot.Add chopped onion, coriander and grated carrot.
Salt and oil
Method:
Drain the dal.
Pulse with the chilli and ginger.
It is important to add water until the batter flows easily.
Add cumin, salt and vegetables and stir.
Pour a handful on to a hot tawa.
Fry on both sides in oil until golden.
Serve with mint chutney & fresh curd. Make them thin to make crisp edges. Those that are thicker are soft and fluffy.
2. Stuffed Gram Dal Paratha.
Cook dal until it is soft. Make sure it isn’t soggy. It should take 3 pressure cooker whistles.
For the filling:
1 cup cooked gram dal (mashed coarsely with fork)
½ teaspoon Red Chili powder
½ teaspoon garam masala
1 teaspoon amchur
Coriander and salt, chopped
Make sure the filling remains dry. Drain the excess water before. Otherwise if not, the paratha will tear. Add a spoonful to soft wheat flour dough. Make sure it is sealed and roll it gently. Heat a tawa and add ghee and cook on medium heat. Handle with care. Filling does not leak out.
This tastes great with pickle or raita.
3. Savoury Gram Dal Batter Appe
Some curd and an appe pan will be required. Grind gram dal coarsely and add curd to it. Now add chopped onions, curry leaves, grated carrots and salt.
Pour batter into a greased appe pan. Slow cook on low heat, stirring once while cooking. They are crisp on the outside and soft from the centre inside. They can also be eaten as a nighttime snack.
Pour the same batter in a tawa. Quickly served a uttapam. It pairs well with chutney, such as coconut or tomato.
Avoiding the hassle of stocking up.
Which is it out of gram dal or fresh veg? A grocery delivery app is a solution that helps you save your trip. Instamart is one such App. It provides gram Dal, spices, onions and coriander. All items are delivered in one package.
Look for the pack size and expiration date. All three recipes are included in a small pack.
Soak Tonight, Cook Tomorrow
Good breakfasts are made easy. A little planning is all it takes. Soak gram dal for overnight. Your cheela or Paratha is almost done.
Choose a one recipe for the week. Make any adjustments to spices as needed for your family. Eating breakfast could actually be the simplest meal of the day. Mornings will be a bit quieter.
