The second British Dal Festival will run for the week from Sunday 10 February 2019 – the United Nations World Pulses Day which has been designated in recognition of the contribution pulses make to health, nutrition, food security, biodiversity and fighting climate change.
Franek Smith, President of Pulses UK explains that, “the Dal Festival will celebrate pulses, their many benefits, and the local flavours and traditions that cooks around the world bring to such versatile ingredients. It will feature events and an expanded ‘Dal Trail’ across the UK for a nationwide celebration of dal and similar dishes of beans, peas, lentils and other pulses.
“Enterprises and organisations – including eateries, community groups, cinemas, bookclubs and more – will celebrate the magic of dal across the country. By holding an event such as a supper club, shared feast, cookery demo workshop, or even screening a dal-themed film, participating groups will contribute to a diverse and exciting nationwide celebration of dal.
“The festival’s Dal Trail will see eateries across the country bringing pulses to the fore and shining a spotlight on their magic, by offering at least one dal or other dish of beans, peas, lentils or chickpeas through the week.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy favourite dals and to try less familiar pulse dishes from the fava dip of the Greek island of Santorini to traditional British parched peas. While highlighting the myriad ways that pulses are cooked around the world, the festival seeks to go beyond simple indulgence in delicious dishes, raising the profile of pulses and increasing awareness of their benefits.
“Pulses are an affordable, sustainable, healthy and nutritious plant-based source of protein and other nutrients. They provide an immediate opportunity to reduce meat consumption and the impact of our diets on resources and climate change,” adds Mr Smith.
