Yellow Dal Recipe – A Taste of Olgapuri

Our gift to you!

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As we enter this season of gratitude, all of us at Nepal Youth Foundation are reflecting on how much your support has meant this past year. Your kindness has helped children across Nepal learn, grow, and feel the comfort of community. In return, we wanted to share a small gift from the heart of Olgapuri Children’s Village.

This simple yellow dal recipe is a favorite for the children at Olgapuri, reflecting a dish woven into Nepali daily life. It has long been one of the country’s most beloved comfort foods, with roots that stretch back centuries. Communities traditionally cultivated lentils alongside rice, creating a simple, hearty meal that sustained families through the rhythms of rural life. At Olgapuri, it is served often, filling the dining hall with warmth, familiar aromas, and the feeling of family.

Beyond its cultural importance, dal is rich in plant-based protein, fiber, and essential minerals. It supports healthy digestion, fuels growing bodies with steady energy, and adapts easily to whatever is available in the kitchen. It can be enjoyed on its own or served with rice, vegetables, greens, chicken, eggs, or any protein you love.

For many families in Nepal, daal represents both comfort and sustenance, making it a meaningful dish to share during this season of togetherness. We hope this recipe brings a little of Olgapuri’s warmth into your home.

Yellow Dal Recipe (Olgapuri style)

Base Ingredients

• 1 cup split yellow lentils (arahar or mung dal)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• Salt to taste
• 2 to 3 cups of water (according to the desired consistency)

Ingredients for Tadka (tempering)

• 1 tablespoon oil or ghee
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds (if desired)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1-2 cloves garlic and small piece of ginger, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, slit (optional)
• A pinch of hing (asafoetida) and a few curry leaves (optional)
• Lemon juice (to taste)
• Cilantro (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

• Rinse the lentils thoroughly, soak for at least 20 minutes.
• Cook the lentils (in a pressure cooker, pan, or wok) with turmeric, salt, and water until soft and creamy. Pressure cooker method: Cook on high heat until the first whistle, then lower the heat and cook for 5 to 7 more minutes.
• In a separate pan, heat oil or ghee. Add mustard and cumin seeds until they sputter.
• Add garlic, ginger, green chilies, and tomato (if using). Sauté briefly.
• Pour this tempering over the cooked lentils. Stir well and simmer for a few minutes.
• Finish with lemon juice (about 1 teaspoon or more for taste) and chopped cilantro.
• Serve warm with steamed rice to make it Dal Bhat, Nepal’s national dish. Feel free to add sauteed vegetables, roasted squash, spinach, tofu, chicken, or any protein of your choice. Can be enjoyed on its own as a soup!

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Don’t miss out on NYF’s GivingTuesday x2 Match campaign!

For this year’s GivingTuesday campaign—Fueling Futures: Share a Meal with Olgapuri—NYF is raising funds for the food budget at Olgapuri Children’s Village. The 80 kids in our care at Olgapuri receive four homemade, nutritious meals every single day. One meal costs only 50¢. This GivingTuesday, our goal is to raise $38,235 together to fund every meal served at Olgapuri from now until the end of our fiscal year in June 2026.  As you spend time with loved ones in the coming days and weeks, we invite you to pause and appreciate the shared joy of food, connection, and community—the core values of this GivingTuesday effort.

As you enjoy this recipe, we hope you’ll also take part in NYF’s GivingTuesday x2 Match campaign: Fueling Futures — Share a Meal with Olgapuri. Double your impact today! NYF supporter Kevin McAuliffe is matching all gifts made to this campaign.