Muskan Lonial

Dal Makhani is a comforting, creamy and buttery lentil dish. The lentils and beans are cooked until tender, then we build up with layers of aromatic flavour. It makes the perfect side dish to go with any curry, or serve it as a main with some pilau rice and/or chapati.

Hailing from the Northern parts of India, there’s a dish that provides me comfort and nostalgia: Dal Makhani. It’s a simple yet profound concoction of black lentils and beans, simmered to perfection with a medley of spices that warm you from the inside out. The dish is modest, unassuming, and yet, it holds within it the power to transport me back to simpler times.

Back home, it was more than just food; it was a ritual that brought the family together, a tradition that we held dear.

It’s my treat after a long week, my way of pampering myself when I need a pick-me-up. I like to order Dal Makhni at Royal Spice as they have a pretty authentic version of the dish, doing justice to it.

Paired with a side of steamed rice or warm naan, it’s a meal that satisfies not just hunger but the soul. It’s amazing how a dish so simple can evoke such a strong sense of place and belonging. No matter where life takes me, a bowl of Dal Makhani is all it takes to feel like I’m home again.”