The Trekking Pawns' Diary

One of the most surprising—and delightful—food experiences on our cruise aboard the NCL Getaway wasn’t in a specialty restaurant, but in the Garden Café buffet . Each day, among the endless options of international cuisine, we found ourselves returning to a warm, humble dish that quickly became a favorite: dal . Yes, dal ! A comforting, soul-warming Indian lentil stew that feels like a hug in a bowl. We didn’t expect to find such authentic flavors at sea, but this dal was delicious—flavorful, creamy, lightly spiced, and satisfying every single time. What is Dal? Dal (also spelled daal or dahl) is a staple of Indian cuisine , and there are countless variations across the regions of India. The version we tasted on the cruise was made from chana dal , which are split yellow chickpeas. When cooked, they break down into a hearty, creamy stew packed with earthy flavor and a comforting, nutty aroma. We were so impressed, we had to learn more—and even looked up how to make it ourselves! ...