After a tiring day at school, it was always rewarding to enjoy a delicious lunch and something sweet for tea prepared by my mother. This highly nutritious broken wheat pudding was given to us on a regular basis to strengthen our bones and help us grow. Referred to as lapsi or doce bhaji, it was enhanced with coconut milk, cashewnuts and raisins. Sweetened with sugar, flavoured with cardamom powder and ghee. Very easy to make and ready in 15 minutes with soaked dalia or broken wheat. Perfectly sweet, satisfying and loaded with health benefits.
Dalia or broken wheat is made by grinding wheat berries into coarse particles. Low in calories, high in fibre and aids in weight loss. Easy to digest, prevents constipation, maintains cholesterol levels and heart healthy. Low in glycemic index with complex carbohydrates and helps in managing blood sugar. Good source of energy and increases metabolism. Rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. Often recommended to lactating mothers and as a weaning food for babies. Versatile, can be used in preparing sweet and savoury dishes for various meals. Try to incorporate this wholesome dalia in your daily diet.
Dalia or broken wheat is made by grinding wheat berries into coarse particles. Low in calories, high in fibre and aids in weight loss. Easy to digest, prevents constipation, maintains cholesterol levels and heart healthy. Low in glycemic index with complex carbohydrates and helps in managing blood sugar. Good source of energy and increases metabolism. Rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals. Often recommended to lactating mothers and as a weaning food for babies. Versatile, can be used in preparing sweet and savoury dishes for various meals. Try to incorporate this wholesome dalia in your daily diet.
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Goan Doce Bhaji
(Serves 8)
1 cup dalia or broken wheat
2 cups thick coconut milk
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup cashewnuts (chopped)
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 teaspoon ghee
a pinch of salt
Method:
Soak broken wheat in warm water for one hour. Drain out the water and transfer the bloomed broken wheat into a thick bottom pan.
Pour coconut milk into the pan and place it on the fire. On medium heat, cook the broken wheat ensuring to stir continuously with a wooden spoon. It will soften very fast in three minutes.
Keep stirring and once it starts to thicken, add sugar, a pinch of salt, cashewnuts, raisins, ghee and cardamom powder.
When mixture leaves the sides and comes to the centre, remove onto a greased plate or mould.
Cut into wedges and enjoy warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate any leftover doce bhaji.
Note:
(Serves 8)
1 cup dalia or broken wheat
2 cups thick coconut milk
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup cashewnuts (chopped)
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
1 teaspoon ghee
a pinch of salt
Method:
Soak broken wheat in warm water for one hour. Drain out the water and transfer the bloomed broken wheat into a thick bottom pan.
Pour coconut milk into the pan and place it on the fire. On medium heat, cook the broken wheat ensuring to stir continuously with a wooden spoon. It will soften very fast in three minutes.
Keep stirring and once it starts to thicken, add sugar, a pinch of salt, cashewnuts, raisins, ghee and cardamom powder.
When mixture leaves the sides and comes to the centre, remove onto a greased plate or mould.
Cut into wedges and enjoy warm or at room temperature. Refrigerate any leftover doce bhaji.
Note:
- Coconut milk can be substituted with regular milk.
- Sugar may be replaced with jaggery. Adjust sweetness, as desired.
- To extract coconut milk, blend two cups of grated coconut with two cups of warm water. Pass mixture through a fine sieve.
