Discover the flavorful combination of lentils and spinach in this comforting Indian Dal Palak recipe | Dal Palak . Made with yellow lentils, fresh spinach, and a blend of aromatic spices, this dish is packed with nutrients and vibrant flavors. Enjoy the wholesome goodness of this vegetarian delight, perfect with rice or Indian bread. Try this easy-to-make recipe and savor the taste of India at home.
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow lentils (split yellow moong dal or toor dal)
- 4 cups water
- 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, washed and chopped
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
- 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil or ghee (clarified butter)
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
Instructions
1/ Rinse the lentils thoroughly under running water until the water runs clear. Drain and set aside.
2/ In a large pot, add the lentils and water. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are soft and mushy. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
3/ While the lentils are cooking, heat oil or ghee in a separate pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
4/ Add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn golden brown.
5/ Add minced garlic, grated ginger, and chopped green chili (if using). Sauté for another minute.
6/ Add the chopped tomatoes and cook until they become soft and mushy.
7/ Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, and garam masala. Mix well and cook for a minute to release the flavors.
8/ Add the chopped spinach to the pan and sauté until it wilts down.
9/ Transfer the cooked lentils to the pan with the onion-tomato-spinach mixture. Stir well and let it simmer for another 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend together.
10/ If the dal seems too thick, you can add some water to adjust the consistency. Add salt to taste and mix well.
11/ Once the dal is cooked to your desired consistency, remove from heat. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Serving Dal Palak
Your Indian Dal with Spinach is now ready to be served! It pairs well with rice or Indian bread. Enjoy the nutritious and flavorful dish!
Tips And Tricks to Enhance Your Spinach Dal Palak Recipe
Blanch the Spinach: To retain the vibrant green color of the spinach in your dal, blanch it before adding it to the recipe. Boil water put the spinach leaves for a minute or two then drain and rinse them with cold water. This process helps preserve the color and nutrients.
Sauté the Spinach: Instead of directly adding the blanched spinach to the dal sauté it separately. This step enhances the flavor and texture of the spinach in the dal.
Frozen Spinach: If fresh spinach is not available, frozen spinach can be used as a convenient substitute. Thaw the frozen spinach and squeeze out excess water before adding it to the dal.
Spice Infusion: To infuse the flavors of the spices into the dal, consider adding them to the tempering or tadka process. Heat cooking oil in a separate pan add spices like cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and dried red chilies and let them sizzle before pouring the mixture into the dal.
Creamy Texture: For a creamier texture, you can blend a portion of the cooked dal before adding the spinach. Remove a ladleful of cooked lentils, blend them until smooth, and then return the mixture to the pot. This step adds a velvety consistency to the dal.
Lemon Juice: Squeeze a little lemon juice into the dal just before serving.
Garnish: Sprinkle some fresh coriander leaves or cilantro on top of the dal before serving. The vibrant green color and herbal aroma of the coriander elevate the presentation and taste of the dish.
Serving Suggestions: Spinachdal (Dal Palak) Indian pairs well with steamed rice, jeera rice, or Indian bread such as roti or naan. You can also serve it as a soup or side dish alongside your main course.
Enjoy preparing your Spinach | Dal Palak Recipe with these tips and tricks and savor the delicious and nutritious outcome!
Nutrition Facts
Dal Palak, a popular Indian dish, combines lentils (dal) and spinach (palak) with flavorful spices. Here’s a rough estimate of the nutrition facts for a typical serving (approximately 1 cup or 200-250 grams) of Dal Palak:
- Calories: Around 150-200 calories per serving
- Protein: Approximately 10-15 grams
- Carbohydrates: About 20-25 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 5-7 grams
- Sugars: 2-3 grams
- Total Fat: Approximately 4-6 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0-1 gram
- Cholesterol: 0 milligrams (if prepared without ghee or butter)
- Sodium: Varies depending on the amount of salt and spices used but can be around 300-600 milligrams.
Please note that these values are rough estimates and can vary based on the specific recipe, ingredients, and portion size. Dal Palak is a nutritious and low-fat dish when prepared without additional fats like ghee or butter. The actual nutrition content can also vary based on the type of lentils used (e.g., yellow or red lentils) and the specific spices and seasonings added. To get the most accurate nutrition information, it’s best to calculate the values based on the exact recipe you use.
