Dal bhat
Dal bhat (Nepali: दालभात, Bengali: ডাল ভাত, Gujarati: દાળ ભાત, Marathi: डाळ भात, Assamese: দাইল ভাত dail bhat / ডালি ভাত dali bhat) is a traditional meal from the Indian subcontinent, popular in many areas of Nepal, Bangladesh and India. It consists of steamed rice and a cooked lentil soup called dal. It is a staple food in these countries. Bhat or Chawal means "boiled rice" in a number of Indo-Aryan languages.
 Dal bhat thali set in Assam, India. | |
| Alternative names | Dal Chawal |
|---|---|
| Course | Meal |
| Place of origin | Indian subcontinent |
| Region or state | Indian subcontinent |
| Associated national cuisine | India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Mauritius, Fiji |
| Main ingredients | Rice, vegetable, lentils, chutney or achar |
At higher elevations in Nepal, above 6,500 feet (2,000 m), where rice does not grow well, other grain such as maize, buckwheat, barley or millet may be substituted in a cooked preparation called dhindo or atho in Nepal. Bhat may be supplemented with roti in Nepal (rounds of unleavened bread).
Dal may be cooked with onion, garlic, ginger, chili, tomatoes, or tamarind, in addition to lentils or beans. It always contains herbs and spices such as coriander, garam masala, cumin, and turmeric. Recipes vary by season, locality, ethnic group and family.
Dal bhat is often served with vegetable tarkari or torkari (तरकारी in Nepali) – a mix of available seasonal vegetables. It is also called Dal Bhat Tarkari (दाल भात तरकारी) in Nepali. There may also be dahi (yogurt) or curry made of chicken, goat meat or fish. A small portion of pickle (called achar) is sometimes included.
Nepalese-style Dal bhat.
