Dal Palak (Spinach with Lentils)

dal palak

Dal palak really packs a nutritional punch. You get the benefit of dal and green leafy vegetable in the same dish. Dal palak is not just healthy but very tasty too.

Recipe of Dal palak

¼ cup moong dal (split green gram)

¼ cup arhar/ toor dal (split pigeon peas)

½ kg palak (spinach)

1 onion- chopped

2 tomatoes- chopped

2 green chillies- chopped

3-4 cloves garlic- chopped (optional)

1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)

½ inch piece ginger- chopped

1 tsp coriander powder

¼ tsp garam masala powder

½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera)

A pinch of asafetida (hing)

Salt to taste

1. Remove stems of palak and wash thoroughly in running water. Chop finely. Wash and soak dals for 15-20 minutes. Drain.
2. In a pressure cooker, place dal, palak, salt, green chillies and water. Let 2 whistles come. Then cook on low heat for 5-7 minutes.
3. Turn off heat and after pressure drops, mash the dal lightly.
4. Heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds. When they change color, add hing. After few seconds, add onion and sauté till they are light brown.
5. Add garlic and ginger and cook for ½ a minute. Add coriander powder and garam masala. After 2-3 seconds, add tomatoes and cook till they are soft and pulpy.
6. Add this tempering (tadka) to the dal and cover. Simmer for 5 minutes on low heat. Enjoy dal palak with roti or paratha.

Healthy bytes- As far as health benefits of spinach go, you must have already heard a lot about it. Let me add a few more words. Palak contains large quantities of Magnesium which is anti-ageing. Adequate Magnesium through diet keeps you young.

palak (spinach)