Dal Palak / Spinach Dal Recipe

                               Spinach is considered to be a pregnancy superfood. Spinach and many other greens are recommended for pregnant women, as for the iron content, antioxidant property, etc. This helps to ease the constipation problems especially during pregnancy. That too greens with a dal, is a complete side dish. 

                                                       This is very simple, easy and tasty recipe. Can be taken both  with rice and flat breads. The recipe can be made with toor dal and moong dal as well, can be prepared with many more types of greens. 

Prep time 10 mins

Cooking time 15- 20 mins

Ingredients 

To Pressure Cook

3/4 cup Toor Dal

1/2 tsp Turmeric powder

2 pinch Asafoetida

2.5 -3 cups of Water

To Saute
1 cup Spinach (tightly packed) Washed and Chopped
1 tbsp Ghee
1 tsp Mustard Seeds
1 tsp Cumin Seeds
1 number Onion Chopped
1 inch sized Ginger Chopped
1 number Green Chilly Chopped
1 tsp Chilly Powder
1/2 tsp Coriander Powder
1/2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
1 tsp Lemon Juice
as per taste Salt

Procedure

1. First cook the dal for 6-7 whistles in pressure cooker, with turmeric and asafoetida added to it.
2. Meanwhile clean and chop the spinach. 
3. In medium flame, we have to cook the spinach. In a pan put the ghee, when it turns hot, put cumin seeds, chopped onion, chilly,ginger, followed by chilly and coriander powder, and finally spinach. Saute it for few minutes and then allow it to cook. The water in the spinach will itself be enough. If water is needed just sprinkle some water. Spinach will be cooked in 5-6 minutes.
4. Now add the cooked dal along with the cooked spinach. Add salt and stir continuously, add if water needed for the desired consistency. Let it to cook for five minutes in low flame.
5. Finally add the lemon juice and garam masala powder and stir. The healthy side dish is done.
6. Enjoy with rice, rotis and chapattis. 

                     Note:

• Instead of toor dal, moong dal, masoor dal can also be added.
• For onions,  I prefer shallots or sambar onion.
• Tomatoes can also be added if needed, if so add after sauteing the onion.