Palak dal is a tasty and nutritious lentil preparation. I have used five different types of lentil, but you can use 1-2 types of lentil as per your choice. You can easily make this dish with a few drops of oil.
Ingredients:
- Spinach (coarsely chopped)
- Lentils (soak the lentils for one hour before cooking)
a. Split Red Lentil/ Masoor Dal
b. Yellow Moong Dal
c. Split Bengal gram/ Chana Dal
d. Split Red gram/ Tuvar Dal/ Arhar Dal
e. Matar Dal/Split green pea - Onion (1 medium size sliced)
- Garlic (3 clove)
- Ginger julienne
- Green chilies (2 sliced)
- Dry red chili (1)
- Dry spices
a. Cumin powder-1/2 tsp
b. Coriander powder-1/2 tsp
c. Turmeric powder-1 tsp - Cumin seeds (1/2 tsp)
- Salt to taste
- Oil (1/2 tsp)
- Tomato (1 medium size cut in to cubes)
Method:
1. Boil the soaked lentils till they become soft; if you are using pressure cooker, cook it till 5 whistle. Add a pinch of salt to the water at time of boiling the lentils.
2. In a heated pan add oil. When the oil heats up, add the dry red chili, garlic and cumin seeds.
3. Add the sliced onion and sprinkle a bit of salt. Fry it for 1 minute.
4. Add the cubed tomatoes, mix it well and fry it for 1 minute. If the masala becomes too dry, add a cup of water.
5. Add all the dry spices. You may add a bit of salt if needed. Add half a cup of water.
6. Add the chopped spinach and give it a good mix.
7. Add the boiled lentils and green chilies. Mix everything well.
8. Add water as per the thickness you prefer.
9. Put the lid on and cook it for 3-4 minutes.
This is my kind of Palak dal. You can enjoy it with rice or roti; you can even have it as a soup. If you want you can add Ghee (clarified butter) or butter for a richer taste; I did not add any though. To make it spicier, you can add a teaspoon of paprika.
Enjoy.
Mo