Instant Pot Vegetable Daliya

In the realm of wholesome and satisfying meals, vegetable dalia promises to delight your palate and nurture your well-being.

Whether you are a cooking enthusiast or a novice exploring versatile dishes, this instant pot vegetable dalia allows you to customize your recipe to your taste and creativity.

Add any veggies of your choice or proteins (like paneer/ tofu/ chickpeas, etc.) and level up the spiciness, and you have a dish that perfectly reflects your culinary imagination.

What is Instant Pot Vegetable Daliya

Few dishes can compare to the delightful goodness of this Instant Pot Vegetable Dalia. Low in calories and packed with nourishing ingredients, this hearty dish is bursting with flavors and texture.

Imagine the aromatic medley of spices, onions, and veggies sautéing in the Instant Pot! The enticing aroma fills the kitchen, and your wait for the delicious feast soon comes to an end!

The magic of the Instant Pot soon reveals the wonders it has created, transforming the ingredients into a harmonious blend of flavors and textures!

Reasons You’ll ♡ Instant Pot Vegetable Daliya Khichdi

Besides the many benefits that vegetable Dalia offers, here are more reasons to love this yummy recipe —

• Quick and easy to make.
• Comes together with a few pantry staples.
• One-Pot Meal.
• Hearty, healthy, and full of deliciousness.
• Can be made within 20 to 25 minutes in your Instant Pot.

What’s more, it is an excellent weight loss fare and can be an excellent substitute for rice pilaf. You can go on with your morning routine without being deterred by its preparation. 

Difference between Bulgur wheat and cracked wheat

Debunk the myths and let’s learn the differences between cracked wheat and bulgur wheat. Both, Bulgur and pilaf are similar in many ways, as they are derived from whole wheat kernels broken into smaller pieces.

However, both enjoy a few subtle differences —

Processing method — The significant difference between the two forms of broken wheat is their processing method. While Bulgur is parboiled (partially cooked) and dried before being broken/ cracked into smaller pieces, pilaf/ cracked wheat is broken into smaller pieces without being precooked (parboiled). 

Size and texture — Bulgur has finer pieces and is more granular than pilaf/ cracked wheat, allowing it to cook more quickly and evenly than the latter. Pilaf tends to have coarser and larger pieces, which makes it chewier and more coarsely textured when cooked. 

Culinary usage — Bulgur is more prevalently used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, where it is used as a staple in dishes such as tabbouleh, pilafs (dish), and salads. It is preferred for dishes that require a shorter cooking time or softer texture.

Pilaf/ cracked wheat, on the other hand, is used for preparing wheat porridge, bread, or other baked dishes. 

Cooking time  — As the Bulgur is already precooked, it cooks faster than the pilaf/ cracked wheat. This makes it a convenient choice for quick and easy meals.

Being less processed, pilaf/ cracked wheat usually takes longer to cook and may require soaking to reach the needed tenderness. 

Similarities of Bulgar wheat and cracked wheat —

• They both are available in different cuts like fine, medium, coarse, and whole.
• They both can serve as a base for salads, cereals, casseroles, and stuffing.
• They make an excellent nutritional alternative to rice and couscous.
• They can be used interchangeably.

Instant Pot Vegetable Daliya Ingredient list

Dalia — Broken wheat or dalia is the key ingredient in this vegetable Dalia recipe, adding wholesome nutrition to the dish. When buying, make sure it is fresh and the best quality dalia. You can store dalia in an air-tight container for a year and use it to prepare various healthy Indian dishes. 

Onion — Besides adding a delightfully earthy flavor and a slight crunch to the dish, onions also help maintain the sugar level as they are low in calories and fat while rich in fiber and Vitamin C.  

Carrot — Fresh, crunchy carrots offer nutritional benefits and add a much-needed pop of color to any dish. Known to be low in fat, this root vegetable is an excellent source of Vitamin A, Vitamin K, carbohydrates, and potassium. 

Peas — Fresh green peas add more flavor and a nutritional boost to the vegetable Dalia. It is a good source of fiber, Vitamin K, and iron. 

Bell Pepper — Mildly spicy-flavored bell pepper brings a host of nutritional value to this delicious recipe, as it contains vitamins and nutrients. 

Tomato — Added for a dash of tanginess, tomatoes provide nutritional benefits to this savory dish. With a low glycemic index, tomatoes offer sustained energy and are ideal as healthy food ingredients to manage blood sugar levels better. 

Mustard Seeds — Tempering this Dalia dish with mustard seeds adds a perk to its flavor and deliciousness.

Turmeric Powder — Lends a beautiful golden color to our vegetable Dalia pulao recipe, making it look more glamorous!

Red Chili Powder — If you are into spicy fares, the hotness of red chili powder takes this savory dish to yet another level.

Coriander Powder — This lemony citrus aromatic spice adds tons of flavor and offers a plethora of health benefits. 

Lime Juice — Just a squeeze of lemon juice adds tanginess and gives an irresistible effect to the tongue.

Instant Pot Vegetable Daliya Recipe Tips and variations

Smaller grain for quick prep — Smaller grains take less cooking time, making cooking convenient. Go for smaller grains while avoiding bigger grains when preparing this recipe. 

Roast for enhanced flavor — Toasting daliya in ghee on low heat for a few minutes enhances the grain’s flavor and makes it aromatic. Roasting also gives a nice texture to the dish and results in fluffier grains when cooked. So, if you want better results and a more flavourful dish, remember to roast the dalia in ghee. 

Rinsing Dalia — Washing dalia twice or thrice is sufficient to clean it. Rinse the cereal under running water or in a bowl of cold water to get rid of dirt and dust. 

Veggies add flavor and nutrition — Dalia is packed with healthy nutrients and makes a great meal. However, you can add more nutrition and flavor to it by adding vegetables of your choice. Cauliflower, potatoes, French beans, carrots, etc., can be excellent additions to this delicious recipe. 

To boost the protein content — Soaked moong dal, when added to the recipe, amps the protein content and turns it healthier. Moong dal is high in antioxidants and is rich in vitamins and minerals too. This makes it an ideal addition to the recipe. 

To prevent overcooking — When making Vegetable Dalia in an instant pot, ensure not to release the steam naturally as the prolonged duration can overcook the dalia. Instead, go for a quick release. 

Maintain a proper water-Dalia ratio — When making the vegetable dalia/ broken wheat porridge, adding the correct amount of water is an essential factor. The ratio of Dalia to water is 1:2. 

Adjusting spiciness — This recipe is moderately spicy. But if you prefer a spicier dish, you can always adjust the level of spices that pleases your palate. 

A flavourful addition — This recipe is tempered with mustard seeds, but if you like the flavor of cumin, you can add a spoonful of cumin seeds to the tempering. It will elevate the taste of this delicious dish. 

Ghee for unbeatable deliciousness — The overall flavor of the recipe is enhanced instantly with the addition of ghee to the prepared dish. Just add a spoonful of homemade ghee and see the magic unfold!

Checking the doneness of the grain — To check whether the Dalia is thoroughly cooked, take out a small portion with a spoon and rub it between your finger and thumb. When cooked thoroughly, the grain will feel soft and squeeze easily. But if you feel the grain is a little hard or crusty, cook it for a few minutes.

Substitute for Dalia — Quinoa is an ideal substitute for dalia/ cracked wheat. Couscous could be yet another excellent option for replacing dalia/ cracked wheat. However, the cooking time will differ slightly depending on the grain being used. 

Alternate cooking equipment — This delicious vegetable dalia recipe can be prepared in an Instant Pot, pan, handi, or Pressure Cooker. When preparing in the pressure cooker, cook it for 3 to 4 whistles or until soft. Let it cool completely for a drier version while pouring another ¼ cup of water for a runny consistency.

Let me know what you think!

Start your day with this Instant Pot Vegetable Dalia! This savory cracked wheat bowl is the healthy breakfast recipe you’ve been craving.

Just one pot, and you’re on your way to a delicious and nutritious meal! 

Try this lip-smacking and nutrient-rich delicacy, and I can assure you your family will love every single morsel!