Dal Pakwan | Sindhi Breakfast

Dal Pakwan | Sindhi Breakfast is a scrumptious breakfast. Sindhi Families serve it for special occasions like weddings, Diwali or when you have some guest coming over. Many families feast on it on Sunday’s too.

Dal Pakwan is a combination of fried crispbread and boiled yellow lentils. We temper the lentils with cumin seeds and serve with accompaniments like fried chillies and onion slices. Yes both these accompaniments are optional, but they take the dish to a different level. A drizzle of chutney that is tangy and spicy is a must to bring that extra oomph.

What is Pakwan?

Pakwan is a fried bread, that is flat and crisp. Pakwan is made with all-purpose flour, though we can make it healthy by adding equal portions of wheat flour. Cumin seeds or carom seeds add a good flavour to the pakwan. Some people like to add both, you can use what you like or you can skip it too. I prefer carom seeds as they help to aid digestion. It is crispbread and we can store it for 2-3 days.

Ingredients required for Pakwan

All-purpose Flour: Pakwans taste best with all-purpose flour, but you can also use wheat flour or a combination of both.
Oil: oil/ghee is rubbed into the flour. This is moyan and very important for a nice crisp Pakwan.
Carom Seeds: They helps to aid digestion.
Cumin seeds: They impart a wonderful flavour as well as an aroma.
Seasoning; Just salt. A large pinch works well.

Ingredients for Dal

Bengal Gram / Channa Dal: It is important to soak the dal for 3-4 hours. If you feel channa dal is heavy make Sindhi Makhani Dal.
Potato: Adding potato is optional. I like to add a cubed potato as it gives body to the dal.
Seasoning; Turmeric & Salt.Basic seasoning

Chutney 1

Coriander Leaves: Use fresh coriander leaves and even the stems.
Mint Leaves: Mint gives an amazing flavour to this Chutney.
Green Chillies: I like to use the spicy variety, but medium spicy is fine too.
Lemon Juice: Lemon juice will give a nice tangy taste.
Salt: The ultimate seasoning.

Chutney 2

Mint Leaves: Mint gives the chutney a flavour to die for.
Green Chillies: I like lots of them, as they give a sharp zing to the chutney.
Tamarind Pulp: Amust to make the chutney super tangy.
Seasoning: Salt.

Accompaniments

Green Chillies: Fried green chillies taste excellent.
Onion: They give a crunch but the Jains can avoid them.

How to make Dal Pakwan | Sindhi Breakfast ?

Dal and Pakwan are two individual dishes but make a heavenly combo. Let us check how to make them.

We will begin with Pakwan.
Firstly we shall sieve the maida and add carom seeds to it. Rub in the oil and gradually add water to knead the dough. Make sure the dough is not soft or very hard. It should be firm. Cover and keep aside for 15 minutes.

Now pinch out balls and roll each one into a round disc. The traditional way to roll a pakwan is to roll it big, about the size of a full plate, but you can roll them smaller too. You must make fork impressions or knife cuts on the rolled out circle so that the pakwan will not puff up like puri and will remain flat and crisp.

Next heat oil to fry the pakwan. Once the oil turns hot, reduce heat to medium and add a rolled out disc carefully into the hot oil. Deep fry pressing the pakwan from time to time. Fry, until the pakwan turns golden brown and crisp. Remove onto an absorbent paper. Deep fry all the rolled discs. The pakwans are like crisp poori and you can make them a day or two in advance.

Let’s make the Dal now.

First, we will wash and soak the chana dal. Soak for 2-3 hours, so it swells up beautifully and is a breeze to cook.

Next, wash once again and add it to the pressure cooker. Season it with salt and turmeric. Add cubed potato, if you wish to. Just one is enough. Add 3 cups of water and pressure cook the dal for 1 whistle. Simmer the flame and let the dal cook for 3-4 minutes. Switch off the flame. Let the pressure release and then open the cooker.

Check the dal, it should be well cooked and at the same time, each grain should be separate. If done, then just give it a good stir, blending it a little, else simmer and cook till done.

Tempering the Dal

Before we temper the dal, we sprinkle the dry spices, like red chilly powder, dry mango powder and garam masala.

Next heat oil or ghee in a small pan and add cumin seeds. After they crackle, pour the hot oil or ghee over the dal. If you are counting calories, you can skip this step.

Finally, serve with chutneys and accompaniments.

How do I serve Dal Pakwan | Sindhi Breakfast ?

Dal Pakwan is a traditional Sindhi Breakfast that is getting popular around the globe. It has become a famous street food. We see shops and stalls around the Sindhi areas that serve this delicacy. The same Dal Pakwan has taken many avatars and it is interesting to serve the dish in different ways. Let’s check –

• Serve it in the traditional style by placing dal in a bowl, next sprinkle the spices, temper it with cumin seeds. Place the pakwan and accompaniments on the side. Drizzle both the chutneys.

• Break the pakwan into pieces, you can even crush it a little. Now top it with a ladle full of dal. Sprinkle spices, temper it, drizzle chutneys and finally add sliced onions. For this, you can make individual portions.

• Make a taco of pakwan. While frying the pakwan, fold it like a taco. Fill in the taco with dal and add spices, tempering, chutneys and accompaniments.

• Make a Pakwan Pizza!

• Make mini pakwans, serve with Dal.

• Multicoloured pakwans. Divide the flour into 3 parts. Knead one part of the flour with beetroot juice, the second with spinach and the third with simple water. Make dough balls. To make pakwan, join all three colours and roll. Proceed to deep fry on slow fire till nice and golden. Serve with dal and accompaniments.

• How about some chat! Break the pakwan into pieces, top with some dal, add boiled potatoes, chopped tomatoes, chopped cucumber and drizzle yoghurt & chutneys. Finally, top with sev and pomegranate pearls.

• Baked Pakwan Cups is yet another interesting variation.Fill the cups with dal and finish off with chutneys and toppings.

What do the Sindhi’s eat for Breakfast ?

Sindhi Breakfasts are normally heavy and filling. With time Sindhi’s have switched over to light breakfast and now prefer to eat fruits, cereals or light breakfast like Poha and Upma. We serve the traditional breakfast for special occasions or at times serve for lunch or family get-togethers.

• Aatey jo Chilro
• Dal jo Phulko
• Besani Koki
• Seyu Patata
• Bhori
• Seyal Fulka
• Seyal Pav

This is my post under Easy Breakfast Recipes. I am reposting it with better pictures and modified content.