Dal Bati Churma, this meal is a combination of 3 recipes together.
Dal - It is a mix of different pulses cooked in spicy gravy. Also known as Panchmel Dal as it is prepared with 5 nutritional lentils namely Moong Dal, Chana Dal, Toor Dal, Masoor Dal, and Urad Dal.
Bati - It is a hard tennis ball sized bread which is hard from outside and soft inside. Made of coarse wheat flour.
Churma - It is a dessert mostly made with Dal Bati to make it a complete meal. It is made by crushing Bati and adding sugar, cardamom, ghee(clarified butter) and dry fruits. To make it vegan I used vegan ghee.
History of Dal Bati Churma
Although this is a very popular dish from Rajasthan state in India, but loved by not only Indian but also by tourists visit to Rajasthan.
It is said to be originated during the rule of Bappa Rawal, the founder of Mewar kingdom in Rajasthan.
The invention of Bati is very interesting, it is considered a wartime meal! During the battle days before leaving for battlefield Rajput soldiers used to leave the chunked dough buried in the sand and by the time they return it was baked well due to scorching heat of desert. Then they used to eat these Bati with ghee and curd. Later it was started to serve with Dal.
The invention of Churma is also very interesting, It is considered to be invented by chance when a chef poured sugar cane juice on Bati. Due to that Bati become softer and delicious. Later with time it is made by adding sugar, ghee and dry fruits to the crushed and powdered Bati.
How I prepared Dal Bati churma!
It is a one of the most loving food by me and my family. We use to eat this meal on sunday or any holiday.
Making of Bati - Bati is prepared in two ways, either by direct baking or by boiling before baking. We used to make it by boiling before baking, which is also known as Bafla. To prepare Bafla(Bati) I took whole wheat flour which was coarsely grounded specially to make Bati. 1/2 a cup of oil is mixed well with 3 cups of flour. 2 tsp turmeric powder and 2 tsp fennel seeds also added. Salt as per taste. Made hard dough using water cautiously. Dough should not be soft.
Made balls out of dough and press a little as shown below
Cooked these balls in boiling water for about half an hour on medium to high flame.
Once cooked, bake in oven. As it is already cooked in water so in the oven not baked for long time. It was ready within 15-20 minutes. If Bati not boiled in water then it requires to bake for 30-45 minutes.
Baking bati in gas oven
Making of Dal - As mentioned above 5 types of pulses used to make his Dal. I used 4 types whatever was available with me. It can be prepared with single type of dal usually Urad or Toor Dal.
Mixed and wash pulses thoroughly at least 3 times. and cooked in pressure cooker.
Cooking of Dal and Bati together
Once Dal is cooked it is saute or shallow fried with various spices like cumin seeds, whole black pepper, cinnamon leaves,mustard seeds, turmeric powder, coriander powder, asafoetida, green chilli, fresh garlic and ginger paste, curry leaves, red chili powder and garam masala, salt and lemon juice.
Preparation of Dal while Baties are baking on other side
Dal is ready and Baties are baked
Making of Churma - For Churma I took whole wheat flour but fine as compare to Bati flour. Made Baties out of that without adding any spices except oil for softness. Baked without boiling.
Once baked crushed and grounded to fine powder as shown below.
Took 1/3rd quantity of sugar powder and about 1/4th quantity of vegan ghee or sesame oil. Dry fruits and cardamom as per requirement.
All are mixed together and made laddu(balls) by hand or using mould, I used mould to make it appealing.
Churma Laddu also called Modak!
Serve this meal hot with onion rings and any chutney(fresh coriander sauce)
Traditionally Bati is dipped in clarified butter before serving but here I used vegan ghee. It also taste great with sesame oil or without using any fat.
How to eat?
It is also very important that how we eat this meal. It is a traditional Indian meal and in India most of the meal is used to eat without any spoon and this Dal Bati Churma is more enjoyable and gives a lot of satisfaction if eaten with hand! Just crush baties and add Dal on it, mix well, add onion, chutney and lemon juice for extra taste!
How it is a simple budget and healthy vegan meal?
- Only few ingredients required like wheat flour, pulses, oil and spices.
- Wheat flour and pulses are basic ingredients which are available almost at all places.
- Making of Bati and Dal are very easy. Churma is an optional and can be skipped if no dessert required.
- Wheat flour is a good source of carbohydrate, protein and minerals while pulses are protein packed. Spices have various health benefits.
- There is no deep-frying and only little oil is used to prepare this meal.
