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Vegetarian, South and Southeast Asian

Dal bhat tarkari

Dal bhat tarkari is Nepal's everyday meal, made of red lentil dal, basmati rice, a potato and cauliflower curry, and a spicy raw tomato achar. For 4 people it takes 1 hour, stays easy to make, and costs €1.70 per serving. The key is the tarka, the hot cumin seasoning poured over the dal right before serving.

Tonight it's dal bhat tarkari, the everyday meal of Nepal, with lentils, rice, a vegetable curry and a tomato achar, all served together.

Dal bhat tarkari
Total time
1 h
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€1.70
Calories per person
650 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Dal bhat tarkari brings together three dishes that complete each other on the same plate. The red lentil dal turns creamy and mild, the potato and cauliflower curry keeps some bite thanks to the spices, and the raw tomato achar adds a sharp, spicy edge that wakes up the whole plate. Basmati rice acts as the neutral base that ties everything together.

It's a weeknight dish that feeds the whole family without meat or fish, perfect when you want something different without spending the whole evening cooking. It also works well for a Sunday dinner where everyone serves themselves from a big platter. Adventurous kids will enjoy it, while others might prefer a milder version.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Red lentilsoften in the pantry 200 g
  • Basmati riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Cumin seedsoften in the pantry 2 tsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Sesame seeds 1 tbsp
  • Oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 300 g
  • Cauliflower 300 g
  • Onion 2
  • Tomatoes 5
  • Garlic 4 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 1 tbsp
  • Green chili 1
  • Lemon 1
  • Fresh cilantro 4 sprigs

Allergens Sesame

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the lentils with the turmeric and salt in 1 liter of water until soft. 18 min

    Skim off the foam at the start of cooking.

  2. Cook the rice in salted water and keep it warm. 11 min

    Keep the rice covered until serving time.

  3. Cook a sliced onion, garlic and ginger, add the diced potatoes and cauliflower, two tomatoes, salt, a little water, and simmer covered. 20 min

    The curry should stay dry, like a spiced stir fry.

  4. For the achar, blend 3 raw tomatoes with the chili, toasted sesame seeds, lemon juice, cilantro and a pinch of salt. 5 min

    Roasting the tomatoes in the oven for 10 minutes gives a smoky achar.

  5. Heat the oil with the cumin, pour it over the dal, then arrange everything on a large platter. 3 min

    Serve everything together, so everyone can mix it as they like.

Our tips to get it right

  • Rinse the red lentils in clear water before cooking, this removes surface starch and keeps the dal smooth.
  • Cut the potatoes and cauliflower into equal sized pieces so they cook at the same rate in the curry.
  • Taste the tomato achar before serving and adjust the chili or lemon to your liking, it's what balances the whole plate.

The variations

  • Swap the cauliflower for spinach or green beans depending on the season, the curry keeps the same dry texture.
  • For a spicier version, leave the seeds in the green chili instead of removing them.
  • For a faster weeknight meal, use leftover reheated rice and focus your time on the dal and curry.

What to serve it with

  • Spiced Nepali milk tea
  • Crispy papadums
  • Plain yogurt to cool things down

Storage

The dal and curry keep for 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, stored separately from the rice and achar. They freeze well for up to 2 months. Reheat the dal and curry in a saucepan with a splash of water, and make the achar fresh each time.

Questions about this dish

Can you use other lentils instead of red lentils?

Green or brown lentils work, but they take longer to cook and hold their shape better. Plan for 30 to 35 minutes of cooking instead of 18.

Can you make dal bhat tarkari ahead of time?

The dal and curry can be made the day before and actually taste better after resting. Make the achar and tarka at the last minute to keep their freshness and aroma.

How do you make this milder for kids?

Remove the green chili from the achar and go easy on strong spices in the curry. The dal stays naturally mild thanks to the turmeric and lentils.

What is tarka and why add it at the end?

Tarka is hot oil infused with cumin, poured over the dal right before serving. Added too early, it loses its sizzle and the aroma fades before it reaches the table.

How long does it take to make a dal bhat tarkari?

Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a dal bhat tarkari?

About 650 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a dal bhat tarkari cost?

About €1.70 per serving, or €6.80 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains sesame. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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