Chana Dal Palak (Lentil with Spinach)

This wonderful combination of lentil & spinach, a very healthy option full of protein and iron. I have been thinking to make this for a few days and was getting pushed back due to so many things.

I loved the flavors of garlic which is what I have to temper along with a little ginger and tomato. I wasn’t sure if my kids will like it, but my 3 year old ate it with rice. I was so happy as he is such a picky eater and this was a wonderful way to feed him lentils & spinach.

Ingredients:
1 cup chana daal, washed
1/4 cup spinach, chopped (I use frozen)
7-8 garlic cloves, chopped
1-2 green chilies, chopped
1 tomato, cubed
1 inch of ginger, chopped
salt to taste
3/4 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 tsp red chili powder or to taste
2-3 whole dry red chilies
2-3 curry leaved
pinch of asafoetida
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garam masala
2-3 cups water

Directions:

Wash the dal until clean. In a pressure cooker, add dal, water, salt, ginger and turmeric. Let it cook for about 3 whistles. Take the steam out and add spinach and give it about 2-3 whistles more until the daal softens completely.

To make the temper, in a frying pan heat about a tablespoon oil. Add cumin seeds, asafetida, and curry leaves.

Let the seeds splatter and add crushed or chopped garlic.

Saute for a couple of minutes until light brown. Then add chopped tomatoes.

Cook the tomatoes until softened. Add red chili powder, garam masala and sauté for another couple of minutes.

Add this mixture to the daal and simmer for another few minutes. Check the consistency at this time. If it is too thick you can add boiled water and cook for extra few minutes. Also check the spices and add at this time.

Using the same frying pan, add the remainder tablespoon of oil. As soon as it heats up, add 1/4 tsp of cumin and the whole red chilies. After a minute, turn the gas off. Add paprika to the oil and mix well.

Pour this mixture on top of the daal. This daal was full of garlic flavor. I had it with rice. Came out lip smacking delicious. Serve hot with chapati or rice.

If you like the recipe, please comment below after you give it a try and share it on Facebook. Would like to hear from you. Your comments, likes, dislikes, matters to me. Thank you for stopping by!!

Happy Cooking!!!!