Go Back
–+ servings
Smita

Dal Palak

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: Indian Cuisine.
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Cup Tur Dal(Split Pigeon Peas
  • 4 Cups Water
  • 1 Tsp Turmeric Powder
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • 1.5 Cups Chopped Fresh Spinach
  • 1 Medium Chopped Tomato
  • 1 Medium Chopped Onion
  • 1 Tbsp Chopped Garlic
  • 1 Tsp Chopped Ginger
  • 1 Tsp Chopped Green Chillies
  • 1 Tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 2 Dry Red Chillies
  • 1 Tsp Dry Mango Powder(Lme /Lemon Juice)
  • 1 Tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder(Optional)
  • ½ Tsp Garam Masala Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Oil
  • 1 Tsp Ginger-Garlic Paste.
For second tempering(optional)
  • 1 Tbsp Oil of your choice
  • ½ Tsp Cumin Seeds
  • 1 Dry Red Chilli
  • ½ Tsp Red Chilli Powder
For Garnish
  • ¼ Cup Chopped Fresh Cilantro
  • 1 Tsp Lemon Juice.

Method
 

Boiling Lentils/Dal in Instant Pot.
  1. Take one cup of split Pigeon Peas/Tuvar /Arhar Dal .
  2. Wash it 4-5 times nicely with running cold water.
  3. Plug the instant pot and switch it on.
  4. Add one cup of rinsed lentil ,4 cups of water ,1 tsp of turmeric and i tsp of salt to it .Give it a stir.
  5. Cook on high pressure for 3 minute and let it release the steam naturally.
  6. Chop Onion ,Tomato .Ginger and Garlic.
  7. Chop Spinach Nicely.
  8. Keep all the ingredients handy.
How to make Dal/Lentil
  1. Take a deep pan .Add oil /Ghee to it .
  2. When its hot add cumin seeds ,dry red chilli.Let it crackle.
  3. Add Chopped garlic to it .Saute for 1 minute till they look light brown .
  4. Add onion ,green chillies and ginger to it .Saute it for 1-2 minute or till the raw smell is gone .Your flame should be on medium not on high at this point of the time.
  5. Now add tomato and cook till it looks softened or done .
  6. Add all the other spices at this point of time and saute it on slow .medium flame for 1-2 minute.
  7. Add chopped spinach to it .Stir it and mix with all the spice mix ,which we are stirring in the pan.
  8. Remove the lid of the Instant Pot and whisk the cooked dal or lentil with a whisker .This is just my personal preference .If you like your lentils just like that do not whisk it .I personally feel that whisking the lentil makes it more creamy and delicious.
  9. Add this whisked dal to spice mix in the pan.Mix it nicely and let it boil on medium flame for 1-2 minutes.
  10. If its thin for your liking let it boil for 1-2 minutes more.If its thick for you add little(around ¼ cup water) to it.
  11. Taste the seasoning .If you want to add salt ,go ahead and do it .I will suggest not to go overboard with it.
  12. Add lemon juice to it .
Second Tempering(Optional)
  1. Take a tempering pan .Add ghee oil to it .When its hot enough add Cumin seeds and dry red chilli.Break dry red chillies into two parts.
  2. Let it crackle .Add red chilli powder ,mix it and pour it immediately over the spinach Dal.
  3. Your Lentil Stew with Spinach is ready to serve.
  4. Garnish with Fresh Cilantro leaves and enjoy.
Boiling Dal in Pressure Cooker
  1. Add 1 cup of lentil,4 cups of water ,1 tsp turmeric powder and 1 tsp of salt in the pressure cooker .
  2. Keep the flame medium high to form the pressure.Now lower the pressure and cook till 3 whistle.If you want your lentils in shape switch off after 2 whistles only.
  3. Let the pressure release naturally.
  4. Follow the same tempering process.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!