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Dal Batti Churma is a perfect representation of a classic Rajasthani dish, depicting the rustic aspects of the Indian heartlands, so to speak.
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To start with the baati, which forms the heavy base of this dish, you will require 2 cups of wheat flour mixed with 1/2 cup of semolina, further incorporated with 1/2 cup of ghee and a pinch of salt.
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Knead the mixture until it starts resembling coarse crumbs, and then gradually add in water to knead the mixture into a stiff dough.
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Now the dough is made, split into equal portions, and rolled into round balls, smooth yet well-shapen.
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Finally, these are baked in the preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 20-25 minutes, where they transform into golden brown delights perfectly crisp on the outside and soft inside.
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Meanwhile, you can make the dal.
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Soak 1/2 cup of toor dal, ¼ cup of moong dal, and ¼ cup of chana dal for 30 minutes in water.
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Pressure cook the soaked dals together with 2 cups of water, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and salt to taste.
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This will ensure the cooking of the dal until they are soft and mushy, leaving their textures intact in the finality of the dish.
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In a separate pan, take 2 Tbsp ghee and put 1 Tsp cumin seeds; allow the cumin seeds to splutter and infuse the oil with its fragrant flavour.
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Then add two chopped green chillies, 2 cloves of garlic, and one chopped onion.
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Stir all this together till the onions turn golden brown and fragrant.
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Add to the mixture one chopped tomato, with 1/2 teaspoon of red chilli powder and 1/2 teaspoon of garam masala. Now keep stirring very well.
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Once the tomatoes have cooked down and the spices have a wonderful aroma, add the cooked dal and stir everything together thoroughly. Now let the dal simmer for 10-15 minutes, letting the flavours superbly melt into each other in a warm, rich dish.
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Now, to finish this traditional meal, you have to make churma, a sweet, nutty contrast to the savouriness of the dal and batti.
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Take four baked battis and grind them coarsely in a mixer.
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Heat half a cup of ghee in a pan and add ground baati along with half a cup of powdered sugar and half a teaspoon of cardamom powder.
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Mix all of them properly, allowing the sugar to melt and the battis to absorb the sweet ghee.
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It should be properly mixed and fragrant for 5-7 minutes, creating the perfect balance of sweet topping for the dal and baati.
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Now, take the baked batter on a plate along with the dal, which keeps on simmering, and pour liberal amounts of churma on top of it.
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This very colourful intermix of textures and flavours will surely delight your palate with a delightful mix of savoury and sweet elements.
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The recipe of Dal Batti Churma works not just as comfort food but also reflects the rich culinary heritage of Rajasthan by celebrating the love of wholesome food for the region.
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Each bite tells a tale of tradition and warmth, rendering it an unforgettable experience being built between families and friends.
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Whether it is enjoyed on special occasions or as a delicious meal for the day, the recipe of Dal Batti Churma forms one of the epitomes of Indian hospitality and comfort food at its best.