Cherry & Dennis Helper Habitat

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice

尼泊爾豆湯飯 Dal Bhat

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — finished dish

Total time: 55 min
Difficulty: Medium
Servings: 4 servings

Recipe overview

Everyday lentil soup with rice and vegetables.

01

Ingredients

Main ingredients

300 g basmati rice
250 g red lentils
1.6 L water
2 tomatoes
1 onion
250 g potatoes
300 g cauliflower

Seasoning

20 g ginger
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cumin seeds
2 tbsp oil
1 tsp salt

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — ingredients

02

Tools

two pots
small pan
spatula
board
knife

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — tools

03

Steps

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Rinse rice

Step 1

Rinse rice

Rinse 300 g basmati rice until the water is clearer, then drain.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Cook rice with its measured water

Step 2

Cook rice with its measured water

Cook the rice with 450 ml water using the normal rice-cooker cycle.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Rest covered and fluff rice

Step 3

Rest covered and fluff rice

Leave cooked rice covered for 10 minutes, then fluff and keep warm.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Rinse red lentils

Step 4

Rinse red lentils

Rinse 250 g red lentils until the water is clearer and pick out visible grit.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Dice tomato, onion, potato and cauliflower

Step 5

Dice tomato, onion, potato and cauliflower

Cut 2 tomatoes, 1 onion, 250 g potatoes and 300 g cauliflower into separate bite-size pieces.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Bring lentils and water to a boil

Step 6

Bring lentils and water to a boil

Put the lentils with 1.05 L water in a pot, bring to a boil and skim the surface foam.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Simmer lentils until soft

Step 7

Simmer lentils until soft

Lower to a simmer until the lentils break down and soften, stirring so they do not stick.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Crackle cumin in oil

Step 8

Crackle cumin in oil

In another pan heat 2 tbsp oil, add 1 tsp cumin seeds and cook until they crackle.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Sauté ginger, garlic, onion and tomato

Step 9

Sauté ginger, garlic, onion and tomato

Add 20 g minced ginger, 3 minced garlic cloves, onion and tomato; cook until onion softens and tomato releases juice.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Add turmeric, potato, cauliflower and a little water; cover until tender

Step 10

Add turmeric, potato, cauliflower and a little water; cover until tender

Add 1 tsp turmeric, potato, cauliflower and the remaining about 100 ml water; cover until both vegetables are tender.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Season; stir half the spiced vegetables into dal

Step 11

Season; stir half the spiced vegetables into dal

Season with 1 tsp salt and stir about half the cooked vegetables into the lentil dal, keeping half as a side.

Nepali Dal Bhat Lentils and Rice — Serve rice with dal and remaining vegetable curry

Step 12

Serve rice with dal and remaining vegetable curry

Plate rice, dal and the remaining vegetable curry together in four hot servings.

Common mistakes

Hard lentils
Wet rice
Burnt spices

Tips

Cook rice and lentils separately for proper textures.