Dal Palak Recipe | Easy Spinach Dal
Uncomplicated, healthful, yet flavorful and reassuring, this Spinach Dal recipe, also known as Dal Palak, is crafted using pigeon pea lentils (tuvar dal), red lentils (masoor dal), and vibrant fresh spinach (palak). This dish boasts a delicate balance of flavors without overwhelming spiciness, and it is thoughtfully prepared without the inclusion of onion and garlic.
Ingredients
For Cooking Lentils
- ¼ cup tuvar dal (hulled and split pigeon pea lentils or arhar dal)
- ¼ cup masoor dal (hulled and split red lentils)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
- 1.5 cups water – for pressure cooking lentils
More Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Ghee or oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon ginger – finely chopped or 1 inch peeled ginger
- ½ to 1 teaspoon green chilies – chopped or 1 green chilli
- 2 cups spinach – finely chopped
- ¼ teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder or paprika
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
- ½ to 1 cup water or add as needed
- salt as required
Instructions
Pressure Cooking Lentils
- Pick and rinse the lentils a few times in water. Take the lentils in a 2 litre stovetop pressure cooker. Also add turmeric powder and 1.5 cups of water.
- Pressure cook on medium heat for 10 to 11 minutes or 7 to 8 whistles or until the lentils become soft and mushy.
- Open the lid only when the pressure drops naturally in the cooker. Check the lentils.
- They should be cooked well and softened. Mash the lentils lightly with a spoon and set aside.
Making Dal Palak
- In a pan, heat ghee. Keep the heat to a low and fry the cumin seeds first.
- When they crackle, add the finely chopped ginger and green chillies. Fry for a few seconds or until the raw aroma of ginger goes away.
- Now add the finely chopped spinach. Mix the spinach with the rest of the fried spices.
- Sauté spinach for some minutes until the leaves becomes soft and stops releasing water on a low to medium-low heat.
- When the spinach leaves are softened, add the kashmiri red chili powder and asafoetida.
- Mix well and sauté for half a minute on low heat.
- Add the mashed lentils and salt according to taste. Mix the lentils with the sautéed and softened spinach.
- Add water around ½ to 1 cup depending on how thick or thin you want the dal to be.
- Stir to combine and simmer the dal for 5 to 6 minutes. Turn off the heat.
- Serve Dal Palak hot with rice and a side vegetable dish or salad or raita.
Nutrition
Calories: 135kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 4gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 720mgPotassium: 255mgFiber: 6gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1492IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 2mg
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