World Flavors Cookbook

Dal Bhat

Nepal's twice-daily staple — a simple, nourishing platter of steamed rice (bhat), thin lentil soup (dal), vegetable curry (tarkari), and pickles (achar).

Cuisine: India

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice
• 1/2 cup yellow lentils
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• Tarkari: 2 potatoes cubed, 1 cup greens, cumin, turmeric, chili
• Achar: 1 tomato, 1 green chili, cilantro, salt, lime juice
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Salt

Instructions

1. Cook rice in a rice cooker or pot.
2. Boil lentils with turmeric until very soft. Season with salt.
3. Make tarkari: sauté cumin, add potatoes and spices. Cook until tender. Add greens.
4. Make achar: chop tomato and chili, mix with cilantro, salt, and lime juice.
5. Plate: rice in center, dal on the side, tarkari and achar around.
6. Eat by mixing dal into rice with your hand.