Sweet Dalia is a wholesome Indian style creamy broken wheat and milk porridge. It is an excellent way to kickstart your day. This sweet dalia recipe is for a soft textured porridge with a choice of four types of nourishing toppings. It is a healthy and tasty dalia recipe.
What is dalia made of?
Dalia is a cracked or broken wheat prepared by coarsely milling the whole wheat grains. It is derived from the fibrous husk of the wheat grain and is considered extremely nutritious because:
- It has five times more fiber than other processed grains
- It is beneficial for those with diabetes or on a low carb diet
- It is a rich source of magnesium and iron
- It keeps you full for a longer duration
- It doesn’t have a gooey consistency like oats, but rather has a very nutty taste with a good chewy texture when cooked right
Is dalia and oats are same?
Dalia or broken wheat is made from the wheat. While the oats are made from a cereal grain called – oat. The pure oats are gluten-free whereas the broken wheat is not at all gluten-free. But both the dalia and oats are 100% vegan and vegetarian.
Did you try my pressure cooker dalia upma recipe?
How To Make sweet dalia recipe (meetha dalia)?
Pressure Cooker Method:
Heat a teaspoon of ghee in the pressure cooker over medium flame. Add a cup of broken wheat and roast for 3 – 5 minutes until the nutty aroma of grain is released. Or if not too keen on ghee, dry roast broken wheat in a heavy bottom pan.
Add four cups of milk, a teaspoon of cardamom or cinnamon powder, and white/brown sugar to taste. Pressure Cook over low heat for two whistles. If it is an electric pressure cooker than 5 – 6 minutes is good enough.
Let the steam release naturally from the pressure cooker. Gently mash the sweet dalia using a ladle. Transfer to a bowl. Serve chilled or warm.
Instant Pot Method:
Set the instant pot at saute mode for 5 minutes. Dry roast the broken wheat or use a teaspoon of ghee to roast the broken wheat.
Add milk, sugar, and cardamom powder. Close the lid of the IP. Use the porridge function on the instant pot and cook for 15 minutes.
Once sweet dalia is cooked, you can easily store it in the refrigerator. Next day, add any of my signature toppings and enjoy. It tastes just as good as a delicious chilled dessert or overnight oats, perfect for the breakfast on the go!
My Signature – 4 Flavors Of Sweet Dalia:
Porridges are a great way to start the day. They are a classic breakfast dish that has stood through the passage of time and trends for a reason.
Today, we bring you 4 ways to enjoy your broken wheat porridge (dalia):
Kesar Badam: The original ingredients behind most cherished Indian desserts are saffron and dry-fruits. Top your sweet dalia with a dash of saffron strands, chopped almonds, pistachio, edible rose petals or rose syrup. Let dalia sit in the fridge overnight with these aromatics, nuts and enjoy an Indian dessert-style breakfast porridge in the morning.
Banana Chocolate: Bananas are a great addition to breakfast – they provide fiber and also aid in the digestion. The twist of chocolate and banana makes dalia heavenly. You can use dark chocolate, semi-sweet or sweetened chocolate chips as per preference. A big spoonful Nutella or peanut butter won’t hurt as well.
Fresh Fruits: Fruits are a classic way to add tons of vitamins to your porridge. A handful of berries or summer fruits are a great option. Just cut the fruit of choice into bite-sized cubes, drizzle a dash of honey for sweetness or add a spoonful of fresh fruit compote and you’re colorful, fibrous breakfast is ready!
Museli Nuts: Take a pick of your favorite cereal or muesli, and add a spoonful on tip of porridge along with dried berries. You can add a handful of your favorite nuts to the porridge for a crunchy, nutty meal that’s going to keep you full till lunchtime. You can also toast the nuts before adding it for a better taste.
Other Breakfast Recipes You Might Love:
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Sweet Dalia Recipe – 4 Ways
Ingredients
- 1 Cup broken wheat (dalia)
- 4 Cup milk
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder (elaichi powder), optional
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, optional
- sugar to taste
Kesar Badam Topping:
- ¼ teaspoon saffron strands
- 1 teaspoon chopped almonds
- 1 teaspoon chopped pistachio
- 1 teaspoon raisins (kishmish)
- ½ teaspoon edible rose petals
Banana Chocolate Topping:
- 1 ripe sweet banana, sliced
- 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips or chunks
- 1 tablespoon Nutella or peanut butter
Fresh Fruits Topping:
- ¼ Cup seedless, diced fresh fruits
- 1 tablespoon fresh fruit compote or syrup
- 1 teaspoon honey
Museli Nuts Topping:
- 1 tablespoon cereal or muesli
- 1 teaspoon dried berries (cranberries, blueberries)
- 1 teaspoon pumpkin, chia or melon seeds
Instructions
Pressure Cooker Method:
- Heat a teaspoon of ghee in the pressure cooker over medium flame. Add broken wheat and roast for 3 – 5 minutes until the nutty aroma of grain is released. If not too keen on ghee, dry roast broken wheat in a heavy bottom pan.
- Add milk, cardamom or cinnamon powder, and white/brown sugar to taste. Pressure Cook over low heat for two whistles. If it is an electric pressure cooker than 5 – 6 minutes is good enough.
- Let the steam release naturally from the pressure cooker. Gently mash the sweet dalia using a ladle. Transfer to a bowl. Keep in the fridge overnight or at least for 1 – 2 hours.
Instant Pot Method:
- Set the instant pot at saute mode for 5 minutes. Dry roast the broken wheat or use a teaspoon of ghee to roast the broken wheat.
- Add milk, sugar, and cardamom powder. Close the lid of the IP. Use the porridge function on the instant pot and cook for 15 minutes.
- Once sweet dalia is cooked, you can easily store it in the refrigerator. Next day, add any of my signature toppings and enjoy.
How To Add Toppings:
- Prepare porridge. Allow it to cool down completely. Transfer to the mason jars or bowls.
- Top each bowl or jar with a topping of your choice. Keep in the fridge overnight.
- Next day, enjoy for breakfast or carry with you to work place.
Recipe Notes:
- You can use pre-roasted broken wheat as well.
- All the topping work well with both warm and chilled porridge.
- It is highly recommended to prepare the porridge in advance and leave in the fridge overnight with toppings for a creamy, chilled dessert like consistency.
- If the porridge seems too liquid, simmer it for few minutes over a low heat.
- Usually, it thickens a bit after cooling.
- You can use granulated white sugar or brown sugar as per taste. You can skip adding sugar as well.
- Recommended Equipment: Butterfly Pressure Cooker (Buy It Here), Instant Pot (But It Here)
Jayalakshmi Siva says
Looks delicious. Wil try definitely for my family
Hina Gujral says
I am glad you like it!
Arun says
4 cups milk for 1 cup of Dalia?
Hina Gujral says
Yes, dalia absorbs milk like anything when cooked in it. Plus this sweet dalia has a thick kheer-like consistency.