Breakfast is the meal that sets the foundation for the rest of the day. When we eat a nutritious spread, such as dal pakwan, we have unwavering energy to tackle tasks, study for hours and complete projects before their deadlines. However, when we rush out the door and grab a snack, or worse, opt to sip coffee or tea rather than consume calories, we’re tired, sluggish, distracted and irritable.
Although many breakfast options exist that will fuel our ambitions and help us complete our to-do lists, one item stands out among the rest: dal pakwan. If you’re ready to become a ‘breakfast person,’ here’s a simplistic-yet-delicious dal pakwan recipe that will change your world.
Why Dal Pakwan?
Sindhi dal pakwan is an age-old recipe that helps the ambitious women of Southern Asia and India achieve their dreams. The beauty of Sindhi dal pakwan is its combination of much-needed carbohydrates for energy regulation and vegetables to nourish our body from the day’s tasks. In simple terms, if you’re looking for a meal that can keep up with your busy and chaotic schedule, dal pakwan is your solution.
Getting Started: The Dal Pakwan Recipe
First and foremost, let’s gather our ingredients and prepare ourselves for cooking. To start, we must realize that dal pakwan is two distincts foods brought together into a harmonious fusion of taste: dal and pakwan. First, let’s gather the following ingredients to approach the dal-making process:
- Water (3 cups)
- 1 onion
- Cumin seeds (1 tsp)
- Chana dal (250mg)
- Green chillies
- Curry (5 leaves)
- Red chili powder (1/2 tsp)
- Tumeric powder (1/2 tsp)
- 1 tomato
- Oil (2 tsp)
- Dash of asafoetida for flavor
Once gathered, we must wash our dal for 45-minutes to 1 hour. After soaking, grab a large cooking pot and place your oil into the container, adding heat to prime the cooking surface. Once you hear the oil begin to sizzle, add your hing and onion, giving plenty of time for the heat to penetrate and fry the exterior.
Once the outside of your ingredients begins to brown, add your tomatoes and chilies, giving adequate time for frying. Once the chilies and tomatoes begin to crisp, add turmeric powder, a pinch of salt and dal to the concoction for additional flavor. At this point, we need to add our cups of water and allow the mixture to stew and mix. To complete this step, place the lid to your cooking container over the top and step away until you hear the pot begin to whistle.
The key to making superb dal pakwan is to ensure the consistency is tender and supple, not musy or overcooked. Once you ensure the consitency of dal is perfect, it’s time to add curry and chili powder to the dal. In a separate pan or pot, add oil and put it on a burner, slowly adding in your chili and curry until it creates a savory aroma. Once created, add this concoction to the dal.
Moreover, we can add extra chili, mango, salt or spices while serving our meal for additional flavor and texture. Remember: cooking food is not a one-size-fits-all project. Instead, tweak and change your meal to fit the needs and expectations of the household.
Making Pakwan
No dal pakwan is complete without crisp pakwan served with the meal. To get started on our pakwan, let’s gather the proper ingredients:
- Flour
- Cumin seeds
- Chili powder
- Oil
- Salt
Next, we need to mix our ingredients to make dough. To start the process, mix all of your ingredients into a bowl with a generous amount of water. Next, mix these items together until the consistency begins to turn into a dough-like material. Once mixed, place the dough onto a flat surface and roll into small circular shapes, ensuring no air bubbles or lumps make their way into the material.
Let the dough settle into place for an additional ten or twenty minutes, or until your dough has a firm consistency. After completion, bring the oil to high heat in a secondary pot, waiting for the color to turn golden brown. Next, lower the temperature of your oil and place your pakwan into the liquid, allowing the surface to turn a dark golden color. Once finished, allow your pakwan to chill and serve it alongside your dal for a hearty, nutritious and energy-packed breakfast to take on the day.
If you enjoyed our dal pakwan recipe, feel free to join our community of female entrepreneurs and success magnates. SEEMA is an organization that aims to help women in India and Southern Asian areas actualize their potential. From the mom who watches her kids while building a business to the entrepreneur who wants to change the world, SEEMA is here to help.
