Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Instructions
- Rinse the red lentils under cool water until the water runs mostly clear, then set them aside.
- Warm the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and lightly golden.
- Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for 30 seconds, just until fragrant.
- Add the cumin, turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, and black pepper, then stir for 15 seconds to bloom the spices.
- Add the diced tomato and cook for 2 minutes until it starts to break down.
- Pour in the water, lentils, and salt. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce to a steady simmer.
- Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the lentils are tender and the dal has thickened.
- Stir in the Nepal Himalayan Spice Infused Olive Oil Blend and chopped cilantro, then taste and adjust salt if needed.
- Spoon the dal over warm basmati rice and serve with cucumber slices and lime wedges on the side.
Notes
Dal bhat is all about balance: soft lentils, steady spice, and a clean finish from the infused olive oil at the end. The final drizzle should stay aromatic, not cooked hard into the pot. Leftover dal also makes a great next-day lunch when reheated with a little water. This recipe is vegetarian and keeps the flavors grounded in real pantry ingredients.
