What a roller coaster ride this year has been. It seemed like only yesterday when I was working towards releasing my first E-Book. And then, the Tequila Bubbles website was the next milestone. It truly feels unique. Most importantly, I would like to thank you, the reader, for staying with me.
Let’s get into the topic of this post.
”An assortment of various lentils, with chopped onion, garlic, tomatoes, and traditional Indian spices, were cooked on a slow flame. The lentil soup is garnished with coriander leaves and simmering red chili powder in hot Ghee or butter.
You can enjoy this exquisite preparation with your choice of either plain steamed rice or cumin (jeera) rice.”
Don’t you read such similar kinds of explanations at a fancy restaurant or a five-star hotel?
While in the popular roadside ‘Dhabas,’ the menu card with read, ”Dal Tadka,’ ‘Dal Fry,’ ‘plain Dal’ etc., in one section while the other will be of rice variations, more or less same as mentioned above.
Hahahaha, imagine the difference in presentation.
But do you know all the above boils down to the simple Dal Chawal or Yellow Dal and Rice, a mandatory dish in every Indian household? Everyone, from the slum dweller to the richest man in the country, consumes this simple yet highly nutritious food.
Origin of Rice and Dal
Continuing with Tequila Bubble’s endeavors with giving you exciting insights into the origins of food, ‘Dal and Rice’ is a surprise for all those who think the dish is originally part of the Indian cuisine. In actuality, it is not.
It is from the mystical land of India’s neighboring country- the Hindu kingdom state of Nepal. The preparation of dal is pretty much the same. However, Rice is often replaced with available substitutes as one goes higher in the Himalayan range.
In Dal Bhat (Rice and Dal)–one can choose from a wide variety of dal.
The following can either be split or whole:
– green moong, yellow moong,
– Black urad
-Chana or Split Bengal Gram
-Masoor Dal
-Arhar or Pigeon Pea etc.
Often, Panchmela Dal, i.e., a combination of five different sorts of dal, is served for special occasions. Another interesting fact about the dish is that it is primarily vegetarian and accompanied by a side dish or ‘TARKARI,’ Achar, some salads.
If you go for a trekking expedition in Nepal, the only food that will be there to satiate your hunger will be Dal and Bhat, as it provides all the necessary nutrition required by the trekker.
Dal and Rice s an absolute must-
Dal and Rice is a dish that is closest to me. Now, you will say, what’s so fancy about it? It is a simple man’s lunch or dinner. But, to tell you the truth- out of the innumerable dishes that you and I are privileged to eat- a steaming bowl of Dal and steamed Rice along with a vegetable is most satisfying and comforting after a long day’s work. No other dish can comfort you more.
And before I sign off,
It would be best if you relished this using your hands. Eating with your Hands is beneficial and healthy. So, ditch the fork and spoon!!
It’s bbye from my side.
Wishing you a very prosperous and safe New Year!!! Merry Christmas!!!!
We will be releasing new and exciting posts in Jan 2022!!!
Till then, enjoy and Take excellent care of yourself.
