Spinach is a nutrient rich,  leafy vegetable when compared to other veggies. They are really a cheap, and easily available tasty veggie which are rich in nutrients. Spinach cooks in no time. With lentils it gives a wonderful taste.

Spinach Dal recipe is an easy nutrient rich curry made, with the lentils . The addition of lentils adds nutrients as well as taste to this curry. This is a versatile curry which you can have it with rice, idli dosa or with rotis. I have been making this yummy heathy dish for years and i am glad to be able share it now.

Spinach Dal

 INGREDIENTS:
Spinach/ Palak, chopped- 1 big bunch
Moong dal- 1/2 cup
Green chillies-2
Water- 2+1 cups
Onion- 1/2 (or) Pearl onion- 10
Garlic- 2 big cloves
Salt- to taste

To temper:
Oil- 3 teaspoons
Mustard seeds- 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin/ Jeera- 1/4 teaspoon
Dry red chilli - 2 (optional)
Curry leaves- 1 strand (optional)

Spinach dal

PROCEDURE:
  • In a pressure cooker add the moong dal and slightly roast them till the colour of some grains change to light brown or till the light roasted smell arises.
  • Allow to cool for two minutes; Now add 2 cups of water, turmeric and green chillies.
  • Close with a lid and pressure cook for 3 whistles till mushy.
  • Once the pressure releases immediately open the lid and slightly mash the dal. But do not make it into a paste. 
  • Add the chopped spinach, salt and a cup of water; allow to boil for sometime.
  • Meanwhile, heat a flat pan and add oil; splutter the mustard seeds; add the jeera and dried red chillies ; add curry leaves and fry them together in that oil.
  • Once the curry leaves becomes crisp add the cut onion with a pinch of salt and cook till soft. Add the chopped garlic cloves and fry till the raw flavour leaves.
  • Once the spinach get cooked with the dal (spinch colour sholuld not change to pale as the nutrients get lost if it turns pale) add the tempering with onion and garlic.
  • Bring it to boil and check for salt add if needed and switch off the gas.
  • Notes: For variation you could add some ginger instead of garlic.
  • You could add one small tomato once the garlic get cooked.