Spinach/Palak Dal

Spinach/ Palak , the leafy green vegetable provides many nutrients than any other food. It has twice as much fiber as other greens, helps protect against heart disease and cancer. It is loaded with lot of vitamins and minerals hard to find in other foods.

I always try to make good use of Spinach when it is fresh. This time I have made Dal and Pakoras with it.

Serves 2-3 people
Cooking Time-20-30 mins

Ingredients: 

Tuvar Dal / Toor Dal/ Kandhi Pappu - 1 cup
Chana Dal - 1/4 cup
Spinach/Palak -2 cups fresh and washed properly
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tbsp
Chilli powder- 1/2 tsp
Red Chillies - 2-3
Green chillies - 2-3
Onion small - 1
Asafoetida - a pinch (optional, can be used for better tatse)
Oil -2-3 tbsp
Salt to taste
Few curry leaves
Tamarind pulp -2-3 tbsp
Cumin seeds 1/2 tbsp
Mustard seeds 1/2 tbsp
Garlic flakes -2-3 (optional, can be used for better taste)
Water - 2-3 cups

Method :

1. First wash the dal and pressure cook (3-4 whistles) with turmeric powder, two very small drops of oil and Spinach/Palak with 2 cups of water.
2. Then heat oil in a pan, add a pinch of asafoetida, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, red chillies, garlic flakes and let them fry.
3. When they start to splutter, add chopped onions, green chillies, curry leaves and fry till onion loses its transperancy.
4. Then add, chilli powder, salt and mix well.
5. Now add, tamarind pulp with little water and let it boil.
6. Once it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and add the cooked dal to it and stir well.
7. Let it cook for 5-10 mins, then turn off the heat .
8. Spinach/Palak dal is ready and can be served with plain rice with a curry or pickle of your choice.