Daal bhat power

Namaste,
In Kathmandu you can buy a t-shirt emblazon with the slogan

"Daal Bhat power, twenty four hour!"

So what is it?  The translation says it is "lentils and rice". 

In fact daal bhat is the staple food of the Nepali people; most eat it twice a day.  Many Nepalis do not feel they have eaten unless they have had daal bhat. The first meal is in the morning before going to the office or to school, the second in the evening.

Daal bhat can be a variety of different concoctions all served together with rice and lentils or, in many households, simply rice and lentils.  The rice is just plain boiled rice. The lentils are cooked with spices in a watery sauce which is poured over the rice.  Often green, brown or black lentils are used, rather than the orange ones we generally use at home.  Rice and lentils are grown on terraces all over the country, and many people grow most of their own food near their home if possible.

In addition, daal bhat will usually be served with a portion of 'tarkari', vegetable curry made with whatever vegetables are in season.  A side dish of meat cooked in a spicy sauce may be added too, or a fried egg or bowl of yogurt for vegetarians.  Green vegetables such as spinach are cooked until soft, and often mustard oil or small seeds are mixed in. This 'saag' is served as a small portion on the side of the plate. 

A spoonful of 'Achaar', pickle, may also added to the plate.  Be careful, this can be very chili hot! (piro in Nepali) but can sometimes be like the lime or mango pickle we can buy in Indian shops in UK.

In restaurants and hotels other extras may be added to the plate; some tiny fried chips, a chapati, some sliced raw carrot and mouli radish or even a poppadom or prawn crackers on top.
A metal plate is often used, as in the photo, and the daal, meat and yogurt will be provided in small bowls for pouring over the rice as you wish.

When travelling long distances by bus there will normally be a stop at a roadside cafe/restaurant for daal bhat. A sort of Nepali motorway services, the food is all ready to serve in vast cauldrons and you move along the table adding portions of whichever dish you want.