Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group is known for voicing all things Indian. From small-scale businesses to street food vendors, he often shares his perspective, appreciation, and even support in the best possible way. Not only this, but when it comes to his personal life choices too, he chooses desi foods. Wondering how? Well, for that let us take you back to 2022, when he chose to skip a fancy Caesar Salad over a desi comfort food loved by millions. Scroll down to read the details.



Anand Mahindra skipped Caesar Salad for....

According to a January 29, 2022, post on X (formerly known as Twitter), he was back to international travel, but when he found Caesar Salad on the menu he chose to skip it for desi food. He wrote, "Back to international travel again.But if I find Caesar Salad on yet another in-room dining menu, I will gladly take over from Brutus and assassinate Caesar all over again...Et tu, Mahindra?



And when Twitter users realised that the salad -- a mix of romaine lettuce and croutons dressed with lemon juice, olive oil, egg, Worcestershire sauce, Parmesan cheese, and black pepper, among others -- is not one of Anand Mahindra's favourites, they offered options and he chose dal fry with jeera rice. To which, Anand Mahindra replied, "Exactly what I did..."



What makes Dal Chawal the ultimate comfort food

The simple combination of steamed rice and cooked dal with turmeric and salt is not just a meal, it is pure emotion that millions have enjoyed since childhood. Sometimes with achar and sometimes with a sabzi on the side, the combination feels home- and soul-satisfying in many ways. The sweetness of rice and the bright hues of dal, awaken the sensory organs and have made it a meal that transcends class, region, and age. This simple combination of lentils and rice carries with it the warmth of home, the memory of childhood, and the nourishment of generations. While we often call it a plate or bowl of nostalgia, experts feel that to make them nutrition-dense, it is important to add something 'more' on the side to call it a complete meal. Here we have listed 6 tips one can follow to make dal chawal rich in nutrients and satisfying as well.





Three ways to make dal-chawal nutrient-dense






Add veggies to dal: Whether you are cooking arhar, masoor, or moong dal, make sure to add some veggies to it. Mixing in veggies like spinach, carrots, bottle gourd, or tomatoes while cooking the dal helps boost fiber, vitamins, and minerals. While dal alone provides protein, veggies bring in essential vitamins like A, C, K, and minerals like iron and potassium. As per food experts, combining protein-rich dal with vegetables turns it into a more complete and wholesome dish.




Add tempering: Once the dal is ready, tempering it with ghee, hing (asafoetida), jeera, garlic, mustard seeds, and green chilli not only enhances the flavour but also makes it gut-friendly. According to Rujuta Diwekar, a celebrity nutritionist and author, adding ghee tempering to dal enhances the nutrient value and digestibility.




Serve with protein-rich sides: While dal chawal with a dollop of ghee tastes divine. But, from the nutritional perspective, you need to add rich sources of protein and other nutrients to make it a balanced meal. One can pair the meal with a boiled egg, paneer bhurji, curd, or roasted peanuts for an extra protein punch. Don't forget to add mixed sprout salad, which makes for a crunchy and nutritious side full of protein, vitamins, and minerals. And if you are looking for something more filling and spicy, you may add sautéed soya chunks, as it is loaded with plant-based protein and great with simple masalas.