Palak Dal (Spinach Lentil Curry)

- Submitted by Beryl

(Spinach Dal)

Spinach is very nutritious green leafy vegetable available in almost all vegetable shops. When spinach is combined with dhal, it makes a complete healthy vegetarian curry. This dal is made in most north indian states. A similar dish is prepared in south india with a touch of coconut.

Recipe for Dal Palak

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients

• Spinach -  about 2 cups
• Moong Dhal - 1.5 cup
• Onion - 2 big (or 10 Shallots)
• Tomato - 2 big 
• Ginger garlic paste - 1.5 tsp
• Green chilies - 3-5 
• Turmeric powder - 1 tsp
• Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp
• Garam Masala - 1/2 tsp (optional)
• Sunflower oil - 3 tsp
• Mustard seeds- 2 tsp
• Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
• Curry leaves - 10
• Dry red chilies - 3 
• Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp
• Salt - as necessary 

Method

1. Wash and cook the dal in pressure cooker for about 4 whistles. Remove from the stove and keep it aside till all pressure is released.
2. Chop the spinach, tomatoes, green chilies and onion into small pieces. If you are using baby spinach, you can leave it whole. 
3. In a pan, heat sunflower oil. When it gets heated add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chilies and curry leaves.
4. Add chopped onion and green chilies. Saute for couple of minutes.
5. Now add ginger garlic paste and salt. Stir well till the raw smell of ginger and garlic disappears.
6. When the onion becomes transparent, add tomatoes and stir. Now add turmeric powder, asafoetida, red chili powder and garam masala powder.
7. Stir well and now add the chopped spinach. Mix everything properly so that the masala gets mixed with the spinach.
8. Add enough water and dal from pressure cooker. Mix everything properly, check for salt and spiciness. Adjust them according to your taste.
9. Add sufficient water and bring it to boil. Cook for about 5 minutes and switch off. The spinach dal curry is ready 

Variations

• Toor dal or Masoor dal can also be used to prepare this recipe.
• Instead of sunflower oil, you can use any cooking oil of your preference.

Serving Spinach Dal

• This curry can be served with rice or chappati.
• Adding 2 tsp ghee at the end enhances the taste of the dal.

More Spinach Recipes

Spinach Soup	Lasagna Rollups with Spinach	Palak Chicken	Palak Aloo
See more...