Are you looking for a super food to help you gain weight? If you want one, you should try dalia. It’s a pearl that is eaten in some parts of Africa and has been used to treat malnourished people for generations.

You can spot some of the healthy benefits just by looking at it—it’s golden and has a simple, natural look to it. Even in languages like Hindi and Urdu, dalia sounds healthy. Some might call it “dalda” and even the English name originates from the verb “to grind”. This article will tell you more about How To Make Dalia For Weight Gain and Dalia Powder For Babies.

How To Make Dalia For Weight Gain

Are you looking for a one-pot easy recipe that keeps you full for longer and is ideal for weight loss too? This Dal Daliya is my family recipe and is a total comfort meal that gathers quickly and is perfect for all age groups.

Daliya or broken wheat is a popular Indian grain that can be used to make savory or sweet porridge. This is the easy recipe of Dal daliya made with Moong Khichdi dal (Moong Split green lentil). Sometimes I also use yellow moong Dal to make Daliya porridge, though I find Moong Green dal better with it.

It works best for busy people as it can be easily prepared in less than 20 minutes. This is my go-to recipe when I don’t wish to have an elaborate meal or I am sick and yet don’t want to compromise upon nutrition.

One can make a sweet daliya using milk or daliya upma or vegetable daliya.

Why Would You Love This Recipe?

• Tried and Tested recipe over many years
• Family recipe
• Kid’s Friendly
• Easily convertible to Vegan
• Can be Made Gluten Free
• Scalable Recipe
• Quick and Delicious Recipe
• Recipe for new mothers and sick people
• The Best Dal Daliya Ever!

Ingredients

• Daliya: I have used the local brand of Rajdhani Daliya. You may look for any brand that is locally available. I have used the unroasted variety of daliya and hence I had dry roasted it before using. The same recipe can be used to make Moong dal Khichdi by using Rice instead of daliya.
• Desi Ghee: The most important ingredient of this recipe is Desi Ghee. The sauteing of Daliya with ghee makes the home aromatic and it adds the perfect flavor to this savory daliya.
• Moong Dal: Our family recipe makes Daliya with Khichdi Moong Dal (Green Split Moong) and it tastes amazing. You may use any light-on stomach lentil for this daliya recipe like Moong Yellow Dal, Masoor Pink Dal.
• Spices: This healthy recipe of Daliya uses very basic spices: black pepper, salt, and red chilly powder. You may skip red chilies if you don’t like the spicy Daliya.

Variations

• Vegan Daliya: You may replace desi ghee with any other vegan oil. I will just say that I love Daliya and Khichdi with Desi ghee. If your preference doesn’t match here, you may always change it.
• Vegetable Daliya Recipe: Add fresh vegetables to this daliya and make it veggie loaded for picky eaters. Cut the veggies in small chunks.
• Milk Daliya: Sweet Dalia is super easy and I love the blending flavors of milk, ghee and daliya. Ideal for little toddlers as it’s soft on their gums and easy to digest.
• Oats Daliya: The same recipe of dalia can be used with oats or Quinoa to make a gluten free Daliya.

Is Daliya Khichdi Good for weight loss?

Any food in moderation is generally ideal for weight loss. When I started my weight-loss journey, I had dal daliya for dinner twice a week, and must I mention, it was a tasty and filling meal.

A good source of fiber, iron, magnesium, and other minerals, daliya acts as a complete meal. Owing to its digestive properties, it helps avoid constipation, which is one of the main causes of weight gain.

Is Daliya better than Oats?

It depends on individual preference. If comparing them on the weight-loss parameter, oats have fewer calories, more proteins than daliya. Daliya is rich in micro-nutrients than oats.

The question is which one you munch on more. In my case, daliya is really filling. Oats seem to be great snacks and I can have them more without realizing.

Recipe Overview

This one-pot recipe of Daliya Khichdi is quick and works best especially when you are sick or don’t wish to indulge in elaborate cooking. It is also an ideal recipe for toddlers.

I prefer using Desi Ghee. One may choose coconut oil or another oil. The taste is best with desi ghee in my opinion.

Roast Daliya on simmer in a pressure cooker. Once it’s brown add desi ghee, spices like black pepper, red chilly powder, Jeera (Cumin seeds), and add soaked Moong Split Green Lentils. Add salt and water. Boil it for two whistles on full and simmer for five min.

You may add any vegetables in it. I skipped veggies as it was a super lazy day for me. Also, when I am sick, I prefer a plain one over veggies one.

Expert Tips

• Roast Daliya on simmer as it might get burnt sooner than expected. Slow flame assures that it is heated gradually. Once you get a good aroma, it indicates the daliya is roasted.
• Adding ghee while roasting helps you roast daliya better but then it would take more time.

Dalia Nutritional Information Per 100g

Total Calorie Content	342
Total Fat	1.3 g (2%)
Dietary Fibre	18 g
Sugar	0.4 g
Total Protein	12 g (24%)
Total Carbohydrate	76 g (25%)

Due to all these above-mentioned reasons, dalia recipes for weight loss are quite popular. While it is healthy and easy to cook, it can seem bland and uninteresting. However, with these delicious and simple vegetable dalia recipes for weight loss, you can incorporate this wonderful grain into your diet and aid your weight loss journey easily!

Vegetable Dalia Khichdi

This is a very simple vegetable dalia recipe for weight loss. It is quick and filling. It is a great breakfast dish but can be eaten for lunch or dinner as well. The best thing about it is that it is flexible and can be tweaked for the best possible taste!

1. Roast one cup of dalia for a few minutes over a low flame or until light brown in colour. Once roasted, take it off the heat and set aside.
2. Use a pressure cooker to heat 2 tablespoons of oil. Heat should be maintained at medium flame.
3. Add a teaspoon each of mustard seeds and cumin once oil is sufficiently hot.
4. Once they start to ‘pop’ or ‘crackle’, add cashews and peanuts according to taste (optional).
5. Next, add about a cup of chopped onion. Add 1-2 green chillis or according to taste. Saute until onions turn a light brown in colour.
6. Add vegetables. You can experiment with your favourite veggies to see what works best. Saute the veggies for approximately 4 minutes or until cooked.
7. Add dalia into the pressure cooker.
8. Next, add one teaspoon of red chilli powder and half a teaspoon of turmeric powder. Add salt and garam masala (optional) to taste. Mix well.
9. Pour one and a half cup of water into the cooker. Use more water if you prefer a runny consistency. Mix everything once again and close the pressure cooker with its lid.
10. Maintaining a medium flame, cook until two whistles of the cooker.
11. Use a little lemon juice and coriander for garnish and enjoy!

Dalia Salad

This is a dalia recipe for weight loss that can be a wonderful snack as well as a meal! An extremely quick preparation, it serves as a perfect dish for those looking to reduce their carbohydrate consumption.

1. Take a saucepan or any vessel full of water. Bring to a boil.
2. Add a small amount of oil and salt to taste.
3. Add half a cup of dalia to the water and cook for up to 7 minutes. Once it is soft and doesn’t taste raw, you know it is cooked.
4. Drain the water and let the dalia cool down.
5. Take the chopped vegetables in a large bowl. You can use whichever ones you like – cucumber, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, capsicum and peas are some options.
6. Add chopped mushrooms (optional).
7. Add the cooked dalia to the same bowl.
8. Add 1/4th cup chopped pudina, one tablespoon of lemon juice, half teaspoon of olive oil and salt to taste. Mix thoroughly.
9. Chill and enjoy!

Sweet Dalia Porridge

Sweet cravings are inevitable even when on a diet! This simple and healthy dalia recipe for weight loss is low in sugar and thus, is good for diabetic patients as well. It is also a great dessert that children will enjoy!

1. Heat one tablespoon of oil in a heavy bottom pan or pressure cooker.
2. Maintaining medium heat, add half a cup of dalia.
3. Roast well for 2-4 minutes while stirring continuously until it turns light brown in colour.
4. Add one and half cups of water and mix well.
5. Cook for up to six minutes or pressure cook until soft.
6. Add one and a half cups of milk.
7. Add sugar to taste (1/3rd cup approximately).
8. Allow it to simmer or lightly boil on a medium to low flame for 8-9 minutes while stirring occasionally.
9. Add elaichi, chopped cashews and almonds and cinnamon (optional) according to taste. Keep stirring every now and then.
10. Let it simmer for another minute or two. Serve hot and enjoy!

These three recipes are only the beginning! With a grain as versatile and healthy as dalia, there is no end to the number of different ways it can be incorporated into our diet.

Making these recipes with organic dalia will only enrich the experience. Enjoy better taste and better nutrition with organic dalia while supporting sustainable farming practices! Organic farming helps small farmers and protects the planet at the same time.

Start your weight loss journey while staying in harmony with nature by cooking with organic dalia. Experiment with dalia recipes for weight loss and you wouldn’t want to go back to processed grains!

Dalia Powder For Babies

Dalia Khichdi Mix/ Broken wheat moong dal powder – Instant dalia khichdi mix recipe for babies that comes handy when travelling with your baby. Dalia/broken wheat/cracked wheat is a nutrional food for babies,I have already posted dalia khichdi recipe for babies using soaking and cooking in the pressure cooker, this dalia khichdi powder is really useful during travels and whenever you want to make instant dalia Khichdi recipe for babies. Introduce this mix to your baby after introducing dalia and moong dal separate. This dalia khichdi mix is ideal for babies from 8 months. Here is the recipe for making dalia khichdi using this powder.

Now lets get on to  check how to make homemade dalia khichdi powder  recipe for babies.

When Can Babies Eat Dalia?

Babies can consume dalia from the age of six months, the age when they can consume wheat and wheat-containing products (2). The USDA with WIC recommends starting solids if appropriate and approved by a doctor. The introduction of complementary foods should be done alongside breastfeeding if possible until 12 months. You can make sweet or savory dalia preparations with ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and dry fruits. Alternatively, you can try adding cooked dalia to fruit and vegetable purees, soups, stews, and porridge. 

Possible Health Benefits Of Dalia For Babies

Dalia contains several nutrients that could offer long-term benefits to babies and toddlers.

1. Provides considerable energy: Dalia is a nutritious and energy-dense food. One-fourth cup (40g) of uncooked dalia gives approximately 140Kcal of energy (3). During the first year of life, babies need nutritious, energy-dense foods for adequate growth and development (4).

2. Supplies nutrients for growth: Dalia or broken wheat contains good amounts of protein, calcium, and iron (3). Proteins are essential for muscle growth, while calcium is important for bone health. Iron is vital for several developmental milestones, including the cognitive development of the baby.
3. Maintains digestive health: Dalia is rich in dietary fiber, which can enhance gastric motility and keep constipation at bay (5). It also acts as a prebiotic and boosts the gut microbiota (6). Healthy gut microbiota is necessary to maintain a healthy immune system in the long run (7).  

Precautions To Take While Feeding Dalia To Babies

These precautions can ensure the safe consumption of dalia in babies.

• Buy packaged, organic dalia from a reputable store for quality assurance.
• Prepare dalia in a semi-thick, soup-like consistency with no lumps to make it easy for a baby to swallow and digest.
• Follow a “three to five-day wait” while introducing dalia to rule out intolerance, sensitivity, or allergy. Add no new food while you are feeding dalia to your baby.
• Introduce one to two teaspoons of single-ingredient dalia to your baby for a couple of days. Once the baby adjusts to dalia’s taste, texture, and digestibility, increase the quantity gradually.
• You can also try multigrain dalia recipes with pulses, oats, millets, and rice.
• If the baby looks uncomfortable or shows signs of intolerance or sensitivity, discontinue feeding, and try after a few days. If the problem persists, consult a pediatrician.
• Dalia contains gluten, which is associated with allergies. If your baby has any existing allergies, food intolerances, gastrointesinal issues, or if your family has a history of allergies, then consult a pediatrician before introducing dalia.  

Healthy Dalia Recipes For Babies And Toddlers

Below are some healthy and tasty dalia recipes that you can feed to your baby and toddler in moderation.

1. Vegetable dalia khichdi (7 months+)

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

• ½ cup dalia (washed and drained)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 small tomato (finely chopped)
• 1 potato (peeled and chopped)
• ½ cup green beans (chopped)
• 1tsp lemon juice
• 1tsp parsley (finely chopped)
• 1tsp cumin seeds
• 1tsp black pepper powder
• 1tbsp ghee
• 4 cups water

How to:

1. Heat ghee on a stockpot over medium heat and add cumin seeds to it.
2. As the seeds begin to crackle, add onion and saute until they turn golden brown.
3. Add tomato, potato, beans, and black pepper powder. Cook the mixture for five minutes.
4. Add dalia and three cups of water. Cover the pan and let the mixture cook on low heat for ten minutes or until the dalia looks well-cooked. Stir the mixture occasionally to ensure it does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
5. At this point, add more water to the recipe, ensuring it has soup-like consistency.
6. Switch off the flame and transfer the khichdi to a bowl.
7. Stir in lemon juice, garnish with parsley, and feed immediately.
8. You can add soy granules, cottage cheese, tofu, and nuts to this recipe for older babies.

2. Dalia halwa (laapsi) (8 months+)

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

• ½ cup dalia
• ¼ cup jaggery powder
• ⅛ cup almond, cashews, and raisins (finely chopped)
• 1 pod of cardamom
• 1 clove
• 4tbsp ghee
• ⅛tsp cinnamon powder
• ¼tsp cardamom powder
• 3 cup water
• 2-3 strands of saffron

How to: 

1. Heat three tablespoons of ghee in a pressure cooker. Add cardamom pod and clove into it and saute until you get a fine aroma.
2. Add dalia and roast it all  for five minutes or until it turns light brown.
3. Add two cups of water, mix everything well, and pressure cook for five whistles. Set aside for five minutes to let the pressure release.
4. Add jaggery and half a cup of water and mix everything well until the jaggery melts completely.
5. Cook the mixture for five minutes until the jaggery begins to thicken slightly. Switch off the flame and set the cooker aside.
6. Heat a tablespoon of ghee in a skillet over low heat. Add chopped dry fruits and saute until they turn light brown.
7. Add roasted nuts, cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, and saffron strands to dalia and mix well. The laapsi is ready to serve.
8. Remove clove and cardamom pod from dalia and feed immediately.

3. Dalia upma (10 months+)

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

• ½ cup dalia
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 1 small tomato (finely chopped)
• ¼ cup green peas
• ¼ cup carrot (finely chopped)
• 3-4 curry leaves
• 1tbsp lemon juice
• 1tbsp roasted peanut (coarsely ground)
• 1tsp mustard seeds
• 1tsp red chili powder
• ½tsp turmeric powder
• 2tbsp sesame oil
• 4 cups water

How to:

1. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add mustard seeds.
2. As the seeds begin to crackle, add curry leaves and onion and saute until the onions turn translucent.
3. Add tomato, carrot, green peas, peanuts, red chili powder, dalia, and turmeric. Mix everything well.
4. Add water to the mixture and let it cook for ten minutes on low heat with occasional stirring until all the water dries up and the vegetables turn tender.
5. Switch off the flame and transfer the upma to a bowl. Stir in lemon juice and feed.
6. You can add pulses, such as chana dal, coconut shreds, and sesame seeds to this recipe, too.

4. Curd dalia (12 months+)

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

• ½ cup dalia (roasted)
• 1 cup fresh curd
• 2-3 curry leaves
• 2 whole red chilies
• 1 black pepper clove
• 1tbsp urad dal
• 1tsp cumin seeds
• 1tsp cashew (roasted and roughly ground)
• 2tbsp sesame seeds oil

How to: 

1. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat and add cumin seeds.
2. As the cumin seeds begin to crackle, add black pepper, dalia, and roast them for two to three minutes.
3. Add two cups of water and mix everything properly. Cover the skillet and cook over low flame for eight to ten minutes until all the water dries and the dalia becomes soft.
4. Switch off the flame and transfer the dalia to a bowl. Let it cool. Then, stir in curd and mix well.
5. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a saucepan and add mustard seed.
6. As they begin to crackle, add urad dal, and cook till it turns light brown.
7. Add whole red chili, curry leaves, cashew, and cook for 40 seconds.
8. Pour the seasoning over the dalia and feed.

5. Sweet dalia porridge (dalia kheer) (12 months+)

Image: Shutterstock

You will need:

• ½ cup dalia (roasted)
• ½ cup almonds, cashew, pistachio, and raisin (finely chopped)
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 ripe banana (thinly chopped into small pieces)
• 1tsp cardamom powder
• ½tsp cinnamon powder
• 1tbsp jaggery powder

How to:

1. Put milk, cardamom powder, cinnamon powder, and jaggery into a pressure cooker. Heat the mixture for about five minutes over low heat.
2. Add dalia to the mixture and pressure cook over low heat for two to three whistles. Switch off the flame and keep the cooker aside to cool.
3. After releasing the steam, gently mash the dalia with a spoon or ladle.
4. Transfer some of it into a bowl, add chopped banana, and feed.
5. You can add dried berries, chia or pumpkin seeds, and more seasonal fruits, such as mango, papaya, and apple to this recipe for toddlers.

Homemade Dalia Khichdi powder for babies | How to make instant Dalia Khichdi mix for babies

Homemade broken wheat moong dal powder – instant khichdi mix for babies.

 CourseBaby Food

 CuisineIndian

 Prep Time30 minutes

 Cook Time10 minutes

 Total Time40 minutes

 Calories

 AuthorKalyani

Ingredients

• ▢Dalia/Broken Wheat/Cracked Wheat – 1/4 cup
• ▢Moong dal – 1/8 cup
• ▢Cumin seeds – 1/8 tsp

Instructions

• Take dalia & moongdal and wash it well. Dry it under the sun or shade for 1 hour or until the dalia and moong dal dried completely.Then dry roast the dalia in a pan until nice aroma comes. Switch off the flame once done and cool it down.
• Take the moong dal and cumin seeds in a pan and dry roast in low flame until moong dal turns golden here and there. Switch off the flame once done and cool it down.
• Grind the roasted dalia, moong dal, cumin seeds in a mixer to a fine powder. Cool it down and store in a airtight container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g

Tried this recipe?Mention @gkfooddiary or tag #gkfooddiary!

METHOD :

1. Take dalia & moongdal and wash it well. Dry it under the sun or shade for 1 hour or until the dalia and moong dal dried completely.Then dry roast the dalia in a pan until nice aroma comes. Switch off the flame once done and cool it down.

2. Take the moong dal and cumin seeds in a pan and dry roast in low flame until moong dal turns golden here and there. Switch off the flame once done and cool it down.

3. Grind the roasted dalia, moong dal, cumin seeds in a mixer to a fine powder. Cool it down and store in a airtight container.

Healthy homemade Broken wheat moong dal powder aka dalia khichdi mix is ready!

Notes :

• You can easily double the quantity of ingredients if you want to make this powder in large quantity.
• Generally dalia or moong dal doesn’t cause any allergies, but check for symptoms and stop feeding your baby if you find any.
• Use fine dalia or broken wheat variety for this recipe.
• Dry roast everything in low or medium flame in order to avoid burning.
• Store this powder in an airtight container, it stays good for a month if handled properly.
• Always check with your pediatrician before introducing any new food.