Dal Badam Chakki

Dal Badam Chakki

Dal Badam Chakki is a traditional Indian sweet dish made from lentils (dal) and almonds (badam). It is a popular dessert in the northern regions of India, especially in Punjab and Haryana. This article provides a detailed recipe for making Dal Badam Chakki along with its nutritional information and cultural significance.

Ingredients

To make Dal Badam Chakki, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup split yellow lentils (moong dal)
• 1/2 cup almonds (badam), blanched and peeled
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup ghee (clarified butter)
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• A pinch of saffron strands
• 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios for garnishing

Preparation

Follow these steps to prepare Dal Badam Chakki:

1. Wash the split yellow lentils (moong dal) thoroughly and soak them in water for about 2 hours. 2. Drain the soaked lentils and grind them into a coarse paste using a blender or food processor. 3. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat ghee (clarified butter) over medium heat. 4. Add the ground lentil paste to the pan and cook it on low heat, stirring continuously, until it turns golden brown and starts to leave the sides of the pan. 5. Meanwhile, grind the blanched and peeled almonds (badam) into a fine powder using a blender or food processor. 6. Add the almond powder to the cooked lentil paste and mix well. 7. Add sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron strands to the mixture and continue cooking on low heat until the sugar dissolves completely and the mixture thickens. 8. Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool down slightly. 9. Grease a flat plate or tray with ghee and transfer the mixture onto it. 10. Flatten the mixture using a greased spatula or the back of a spoon to form a smooth and even layer. 11. Garnish the top with chopped pistachios, pressing them gently into the mixture. 12. Allow the Dal Badam Chakki to cool completely and set for a few hours. 13. Once set, cut it into desired shapes, such as squares or diamonds.

Nutritional Information

Dal Badam Chakki is a nutritious dessert that provides essential nutrients. Here is the approximate nutritional information per serving (1 piece):

• Calories: 150
• Total Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 10mg
• Sodium: 5mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 17g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 12g
• Protein: 4g

Cultural Significance

Dal Badam Chakki holds cultural significance in the northern regions of India, especially during festivals and celebrations. It is often prepared during special occasions like weddings, Diwali, and Raksha Bandhan. The sweet and nutty flavors of this dessert are loved by people of all ages. It is also considered auspicious and is offered as prasad (religious offering) in temples.

See Also

• Indian Cuisine
• Punjabi Cuisine
• List of Indian Desserts