Mandia roti and dalma are two traditional dishes from Odisha, India. They are both nutritious and delicious and can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In this blog, we will tell you more about these dishes and their benefits.
What is Mandia Roti?
Mandia ruti is a flatbread made from ragi flour, also known as finger millet or nachni. Ragi is a gluten-free grain that is rich in calcium, iron, protein, and fiber. It also has a low glycemic index, which means it does not spike blood sugar levels. Ragi flour is mixed with water and salt to make a soft dough. The dough is then rolled into thin discs and cooked on a hot pan until brown spots appear on both sides.
What is Dalma?
Dalma is a thick curry made from lentils and vegetables. The most commonly used lentils are toor dal or pigeon pea, but other varieties like moong dal or green gram can also be used. The vegetables used vary depending on the season and availability, but some of the common ones are potato, pumpkin, carrot, brinjal, drumstick, raw banana, and papaya. The lentils and vegetables are cooked together with water, salt, turmeric, and a tempering of mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, dry red chilies, and asafoetida. Sometimes, grated coconut or roasted peanuts are also added for extra flavor and texture. Check out this blog for full Dalama recipe.
What are the Benefits of Mandia Roti and Dalma?
Mandia roti and dalma are a perfect combination of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They provide energy, strength, immunity, and digestion. Some of the benefits are:
- Ragi flour in mandia roti helps to prevent anemia, osteoporosis, diabetes, and obesity.
- Lentils in dalma are a good source of plant-based protein that helps to build muscle mass and repair tissues.
- Vegetables in dalma provide various vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that help to prevent infections, inflammation, and chronic diseases.
- Coconut or peanuts in dalma add healthy fats that help to lower cholesterol levels and improve brain function.
Mandia roti and dalma are two healthy and tasty dishes that you can make at home with simple ingredients. They are ideal for any meal of the day and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Try them out and let me know how you liked them in the comments below.
Note: All these photographs are taken by Manas Muduli and published here with his permission.
