Dal Bafla

Dal Bafla

Dal Bafla

Veg

Malwa's answer to dal-baati — dense wheat dough balls boiled until cooked through, then baked in a clay oven or over coals until a golden crust forms, broken open and dunked in ghee before being served with a plate of five dals (panchranga dal). The definitive celebration and winter dish of the Malwa plateau.

Cuisines

Rajasthani Malwi

Best for

Lunch Dinner

Build a full meal around Dal Bafla

Get a matched combo of sides and accents

Recipe

Prep: 30 min Cook: 60 min Total: 90 min 2-3 servings

Ingredients

Moong Dal 1 cup Moong Dal , split yellow
whole wheat flour 1 cup Whole wheat flour
Semolina 1 cup Semolina
ghee 2 tablespoons Ghee
baking soda 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda
Cumin 1 teaspoon Cumin , seeds
Mustard Seed 1 teaspoon Mustard Seed
turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric powder
red chili powder 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
coriander powder 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
garam masala 1 teaspoon Garam masala
Cilantro 2 tablespoons Cilantro , chopped
Yogurt 2 tablespoons Yogurt
Lemon 1 Lemon , juiced
Chili 1 Chili , green, chopped
Onion 1 Onion , finely chopped
Tomato 1 Tomato , chopped
oil 2 tablespoons Oil
salt Salt , to taste
water Water , as needed

Instructions

  1. 1 Wash the moong dal thoroughly and soak it in water for 30 minutes.
  2. 2 In a mixing bowl, combine whole wheat flour, semolina, salt, and baking soda.
  3. 3 Add ghee to the flour mixture and mix well until it resembles breadcrumbs.
  4. 4 Gradually add water to form a smooth and firm dough. Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes.
  5. 5 Divide the dough into small balls and flatten them slightly.
  6. 6 Boil water in a large pot and add a pinch of salt. Add the dough balls and boil until they float to the surface.
  7. 7 Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
  8. 8 Remove the boiled dough balls and place them on a baking tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
  9. 9 For the dal, heat oil in a pan and add cumin seeds and mustard seeds.
  10. 10 Once they splutter, add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
  11. 11 Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook until the tomatoes soften.
  12. 12 Drain the soaked dal and add it to the pan with 2 cups of water.
  13. 13 Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the dal is cooked and thickened.
  14. 14 Add garam masala, lemon juice, and chopped coriander leaves to the dal.
  15. 15 Serve the baked bafla with hot dal, garnished with green chili and coriander leaves.

Tips

For an authentic taste, serve with a dollop of ghee on top of the bafla.