Dal Chawal: The ultimate Indian comfort food

Dal chawal, the quintessential Indian comfort food, holds a special place in hearts and homes across the country. Simple yet soulful, this humble combination of lentils and rice transcends regional boundaries and unites people with its warmth and nourishment.

Imagine a steaming bowl of fluffy rice paired with creamy, spiced dal, topped with a drizzle of ghee and a hint of fresh cilantro—it’s not just a meal; it’s a hug on a plate. Dal chawal is as much about taste as it is about nostalgia, evoking memories of home-cooked meals and moments of togetherness.

Whether you’re craving something light after a long day or looking for a quick, wholesome meal, dal chawal never disappoints. It’s nutritious, easy to make, and loved by everyone—an enduring classic in every Indian kitchen.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy dal chawal?

Here’s a simple dal chawal recipe for two servings. It’s the Indian comfort food, which is, yes comforting and nutritious meal of lentils and rice that’s perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.

Dal Rice

Comfort food for millions of Indians. Commonest of dishes in the whole of India and Indians worldwide, such that a version of this is made just about everyday in many many Indian households.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Indian

Servings 2 persons

Equipment

• 1 Saucepan
• 1 Small Pan

Ingredients

  

• 2 tsp Vegetable Oil
• ½ cup Dal soaked for 30 minutes. You may use Toor dal or Masoor Dal as per your preference
• ¾ cup Rice soaked for 15 minutes. You may use Basmati rice if it's a special occasion.
• 1 no. Green Chilly chopped
• ½ tsp Turmeric Powder (हल्दी)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp coriander finely chopped
• 1 tsp Cumin seeds (जीरा)
• ½ no. Onions finely chopped

Instructions

 

Prepare Dal

• Rinse the dal under cold water until the water runs clear.
• In a saucepan, add dal, 2 cups of water, turmeric powder, and salt. Bring it to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer until the dal is soft (about 15–20 minutes). Mash lightly with a spoon.
• In a small pan, heat ghee or oil. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
• Add green chili, onion, garlic, and sauté until golden brown.
• Add chopped tomato and cook until soft.
• Pour this tempering over the cooked dal, mix well, and simmer for another 2–3 minutes.
• Garnish with fresh coriander leaves (chopped).

Prepare the rice

• Rinse the rice and drain.
• In a saucepan, add rice, 1 cup water, and salt.
• Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes, until the water is absorbed and rice is fluffy.

Serve

• Serve the dal over rice, or enjoy them side by side in a bowl. Add a small spoonful of ghee on top of the rice for extra flavor if you like.

Keyword anytime, anywhere, comfort food, most loved, staple