Quick Savory Daliya – Cracked Wheat with Carrots and Peas
Helloooooooooo Daylight Savings! I have to admit it, the Monday after daylight saving begins is rough. Not being a morning person at all, every morning I do not wake up until I absolutely have to. Dr. A is absolutely a morning person and he is a morning tea drinker. Morning tea, or more popularly “bed tea”, is a ritual that he has been following for almost five years now. He has many times suggested the “romantic” idea of waking up together early in the morning, which doesn’t work for me, and enjoying our cups of bed tea together, which doesn’t work either because I do not drink tea. So there goes Dr. A’s idea of a romantic morning.
However, I feel that I can wake up and get functioning just in time to save the day, or for relevance, breakfast. Both me and Dr. A share responsibilities to get the kids ready and get the day started. More often than not, we make it to bus stops, meetings, conference calls etc. on time, albeit after some struggles. But one thing that we make sure not to compromise with is our breakfast. All four of us have to have our combinations of dairy, proteins, fruits (and veggies), and carbs. Sometimes it is difficult to get all the food groups in but I am continuously amazed by the old fashioned, traditional Indian breakfasts and how balanced in nutrition these breakfasts are. One such breakfast dish that I constantly find myself falling back on is savory daliya or cracked wheat (think wheat grits).
The sweet preparation of daliya in milk is more common than the savory daliya version, but we, as a family, are more fans of this savory version. I make it in a pressure cooker and it comes together rather quickly for a busy morning. It can be made in an open pot too but it will take substantially longer to soften and cook the cracked wheat.
Recently, I discovered that you could buy cracked wheat (bulgur) in different “sizes” from the Middle Eastern section in grocery stores. The finest size has less texture but cooks rather quickly. So, if you do not own a pressure cooker, I would suggest to but the “finer” version of daliya.Normally, I buy a number 2, which is medium sized cracked wheat. Bob’s red mill also sells bulgur that you can find in your regular grocery store; however, I am not sure about the size of bulgur they sell.
A quick toast on the daliya in ghee (recipe here) or oil followed by veggies of your choice and double the amount of water; one whistle on full pressure in the pressure cooker and that’s it! Savory daliya is ready, serve warm with yogurt or this sauce! Whole grains, veggies, healthy fats, and protein for your breakfast! Here is the handy dandy printable of the recipe.

Quick Savory Daliya or Cracked Wheat (Bulgur) with Carrots and Peas
A popular North Indian breakfast cereal made with cracked wheat and vegetables. Best served hot with yogurt.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Daliya Cracked Wheat or Bulgur
- 1 tablespoon Ghee or Oil
- ½ cup frozen carrots and peas you can use fresh too
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2 cups water
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Rinse the daliya in fresh water. Set a pressure cooker on medium high heat and add ghee or oil to it.
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Once the ghee is melted add the cumin seeds and wait for them to splutter. Add the daliya and toast it for about a minute. Add the carrots and peas and give everything a mix.
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Add the water along with salt and pepper to taste. Put the lid on the pressure cooker and turn the heat to high. Wait for the pressure cooker to reach full pressure (or “whistle”), about 5-7 minutes. Turn the heat off and let the pressure release by itself (it takes another 7-10 minutes) for this.
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Serve the daliya hot with a bowl of plain yogurt. A hard boiled egg on the side makes it more exciting! Healthy and fulfilling breakfast.
Therefore friends, give this quick and healthy breakfast a try and let me know!
Love- Vaishali.
Notes:
Make the recipe vegan by using oil of your choice instead of ghee.
This sauce drizzled on daliya takes it to a new high.
If making in an open pan, add more water and cook till the wheat is soft. It would take between 30-40 minutes for medium size cracked wheat.
Tools used:
Pressure Cooker (I use this one)
Measuring Cups and Measuring Spoons
Spatula
Jessica Baker
July 22, 2018 at 11:52 amI’ve never had daliya, but now I’d like to try it. I’ve also learned that a lot of traditional foods are really well-balanced and a great way to stay healthy. Thanks so much for sharing!
Stacy
July 22, 2018 at 1:50 pmWOW I love how different this breakfast cereal is. I make cream of wheat and oatmeal regularly for my girls before school. I will definitely have to give this a try to mix it up a little. Thanks for the recipe and inspiration!!
Vaishali
July 22, 2018 at 11:21 pmThanks Stacy..I am happy you think this is a good idea..:)
Madi Rowan
July 22, 2018 at 7:17 pmOh this looks so savory & delicious! I’m gluten free so I can’t have the cracked wheat but I might just substitute quinoa instead! I think it would turn out similar, do you?
http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
Vaishali
July 22, 2018 at 11:19 pmOf course! I make similar quinoa too in pressure cooker. It’s awesome.
FlySoulmates
July 23, 2018 at 6:01 amAlright now I have new thing to cook! Thanks for sharing!
Juli
July 23, 2018 at 7:58 amI am so trying this recipe soon so nice of you to share.
Adaezeboltbethel
July 23, 2018 at 9:06 amIt’s so good to be back here to see your creative Creations in kitchen well done the meal looks so good.
Evelyn Hernandez
July 23, 2018 at 7:16 pmIs this only eaten at breakfast or can be had for lunch?
Vaishali
July 23, 2018 at 10:32 pmDefinitely can be had for lunch as well!
brie
July 23, 2018 at 8:21 pmThis is an interesting recipe. I’ve been mimicking your recipes lately. Especially, the chickpea and masala. Hmm delicious,
Vaishali
July 23, 2018 at 10:31 pmThanks Brie..:)
Thea
July 23, 2018 at 9:59 pmThis looks good! I’ve never had daliya before but I’ll definitely try it out.
Backpacking Series
July 24, 2018 at 12:41 amHave not had daliya in a long time. Will definitely try this recipe when preparing it next! Looks amazing.
Shelby So Far
July 24, 2018 at 12:46 amWow, this looks incredible! I’ll have to try it!
Grace Esedeke
July 24, 2018 at 12:58 amI have something to try out as breakfast for my nephews. We love experimenting with foods of different cultures and I’m sure they’ll love this. Thanks for sharing.
Maysz
July 24, 2018 at 1:08 amThis recipe looks healthy! I like healthy foods! I think I’ll make my own version of Quick Savory Daliya. Because I love cooking thanks for sharing your recipe.
Fibi Drese
July 24, 2018 at 3:02 amThis looks delicious! I would like to try tonight
Mr. [email protected] money 2000
July 24, 2018 at 6:17 amGreat recipe! What juice will u recommend with this meal?
aisasami
July 24, 2018 at 9:24 amOoooh, a recipe with cumin seeds. I have to try this someday!
Brittany
July 24, 2018 at 9:31 amSuch an interesting dish I’d never heard of before. Looks so delicious too!
Sayanti
July 24, 2018 at 12:45 pmThis looks so delicious and healthy. I am going to bookmark this recipe. Will help me I guess!
Everything On A Plate
July 24, 2018 at 1:30 pmwe will definitely try this out <3
Jeferson
July 24, 2018 at 3:51 pmI never thought of bulgur this versatile until your blog came along…… Will definitely try it…… Thanks
Novel Blondes
July 24, 2018 at 5:34 pmLooks so delicious and simple to make! Thanks for sharing your kitchen expertise!
Mum mum Ma
July 25, 2018 at 9:12 pmIt’s one of my favorite go to recipes. Healthy and tasty. I love it for my one year old also