Chingudi Dalma: Authentic Odia Prawn Dal with Veggies

Odisha’s coastal kitchens cherish Chingudi Dalma for its comforting flavors and quick prep. You get the richness of prawns, the wholesomeness of dal, and veggies—all cooked into a thick, nutritious lentil stew. Moreover, it’s light, gluten-free, and doesn’t need heavy masalas, making it ideal for daily meals.

Prep Secrets

• Use fresh prawns and keep shells on for smaller ones.
• Store chopped veggies in the fridge to save time.
• Pressure cook dal and veggies together; it makes them soft yet retains nutrients.

Cooking Science

• Cooking prawns briefly keeps them tender.
• Frying onion-ginger-garlic masala adds a deep umami base.
• Finally, simmering with dal thickens the gravy, balancing spices and seafood flavor.

Pro Ingredient Hacks

• Mix chana dal and toor dal for balanced texture.
• Add roasted cumin-chili powder at the end for an earthy kick.
• Skip ghee and garam masala for daily meals; add them only on special days.
• Green banana and pumpkin naturally thicken the dal without cream.

Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients (for 3-4 servings):

• ½ cup toor dal
• ½ cup diced pumpkin
• ½ cup green banana
• 1 small potato (cubed)
• 5-6 cauliflower florets
• ¼ cup green peas
• 2 small tomatoes (quartered)
• ½ cup small prawns
• 1 small onion
• 7-8 garlic cloves
• 1-inch ginger
• 1 red chili
• 2 green cardamom
• 1½ inch cinnamon
• 2 small bay leaves
• 2 pinches cumin seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 4 tsp Mustard Oil
• Coriander leaves for garnish
• 2 pinches roasted cumin-chili powder (optional)

Preparation:

• Marinate prawns with turmeric & salt.
• Grind onion, ginger, garlic, bay leaf, chili, cinnamon, and cardamom into a coarse paste.

Cooking:

• Pressure cook dal & veggies (except 1 tomato) with turmeric and salt for 1-2 whistles.
• Fry prawns in oil for \~5 mins till color changes. Remove.
• In same wok/kadhai, add bay leaf, cumin seeds; once they splutter, add masala paste. Fry till raw smell is gone.
• Add remaining tomato; cook till soft.
• Add fried prawns; cook 1-2 mins.
• Pour in cooked dal & veggies; simmer 7-8 mins.
• Finish with coriander leaves & roasted cumin-chili powder.

Serve hot with rice or rotis. Happy Cooking!

Perfect Pairings

• Steamed white rice
• Phulka or rotis
• A simple tomato salad or yogurt raita
• Lemon wedges for brightness

Chingudi Dalma FAQs