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Arhar Dal Palak | Spinach Dal

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Arhar Dal Palak aka dal palak is a simple and nutritious dal made with arhar dal or split pigeon peas lentils & spinach. This recipe will give you a tasty, light everyday dal that is easy to make, vegan, and can be prepared within 30 minutes of time. Pair this with some steamed rice or roti and enjoy a hearty, comforting meal.

Arhar Dal Palak Recipe | Simple Spinach Dal is a wholesome and nutritious dal made with arhar dal/tovar dal/split pigeon peas lentils and spinach.

Skinned and split pigeon peas is also called Toor dal, Tuvar dal, Thuvaram Paruppu, Kandhi Pappu in India. It is one of the most common dal prepared in Indian homes. A major source of vegetarian protein. It is also high in fiber. Hence good for digestion.

The combination of toor dal and spinach is a healthy up-gradation to the plain dal.

Making this dal palak recipe is so easy, you only need to do is pressure cook the dal and palak together and give it a tadka/tempering. You can even boil in a covered pot or cook in an Instant Pot. Before cooking always soak the dal for 30 minutes in enough water to make it easier to cook.

The spinach dal has to be slightly thick. Hence it is important to make sure you don’t add too much water while cooking. No ghee/clarified butter has been added here. I love to keep this light. Feel free to use ghee or butter if you like. The addition of dry red chili is optional. Adjust heat as per your taste buds.

This palak dal will complement most of the Indian meal and will go perfectly with rice, roti, paratha, or naan.

More dal recipes:

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Arhar Dal Palak Recipe
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Arhar Dal Palak | Spinach Dal

Dal palak: A 30-minute, simple, nutritious dal made with arhar dal/Tovar dal/split pigeon peas lentils and spinach! It is also vegan and tastes so good!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course Lunch, Sides
Cuisine Indian
Keyword Arhar dal palak, Dal palak, Spinach dal
Servings4 -6 people
Author Geetanjali

INGREDIENTS ( 1 CUP = 240 ML )

For cooking the dal

  • 1 cup arhar dal/toor dal/split pigeon peas
  • 250 grams palak/spinach
  • 2.5 cups water
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp salt or as required
  • 1/2 tsp oil

For tadka/tempering

  • 3 tbsp oil
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 medium-sized onion finely chopped
  • 6-7 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 1 green chili chopped
  • 1 medium-sized tomato finely chopped
  • 1 dry red chili optional
  • 1/4 tsp salt or as required
  • 1/4 tsp asafoetida/hing
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder

INSTRUCTIONS

Preparing the dal

  • Wash arhar dal properly and soak it in water for half an hour.
  • Clean and wash the spinach leaves very well in running water. Drain all excess water. Then trim the palak leaves, chop them roughly, and set aside.
  • Drain water from the dal and transfer to a pressure cooker. Add chopped spinach, salt, turmeric powder, oil, and water. Now cook for 3 whistles over a medium flame.
  • Once done turn off the flame and let the cooker releases its pressure. 

Tempering the Dal palak

  • Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds. 
  • Once cumin seeds start spluttering add chopped garlic and saute for few seconds. 
  • Add chopped onion and chopped green chili.
  • Stir continuously until the onions turn slightly golden. 
  • Add chopped tomatoes, salt, asafoetida, and dry red chili. Saute for some seconds. Then cover and cook for a minute until tomatoes soften.
  • Once done fry for a minute more. Then add red chili powder. Stir to mix and immediately add pressure cooked dal and palak. 
  • Stir to mix and adjust seasoning. 
  • Turn off the flame. Dal palak is ready to serve. Serve hot with piping hot rice, roti, or paratha.

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Arhar Dal Palak Recipe | Simple Spinach Dal is a wholesome and nutritious dal made with arhar dal/tovar dal/split pigeon peas lentils and spinach.

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Comments

  3. Gloria Duggan

    I am all about trying the flavours of the world. This sounds wonderful. I can imagine the aroma as this cooks. What a great dinner any night of the week.

    Reply

  7. kacielmorgan

    This reminds me of something I tried in India a couple of years ago. What an authentic dish! I’d love to taste it.

    Reply

  8. jeannette9712gmailcom

    I am pretty sure the flavors pop in this soup. Anything with split pigeon peas has the best flavor. I am Puerto Rican and we use them for rice and the flavor is like none other.

    Reply

  9. Candiss | Lost Not Found

    This dal sound so easy and delicious. I love al the spices together and this would be perfect for a cold winter night

    Reply

  13. cheesecurdinparadise

    I would love this over a little rice with some naan. What a delicious and flavorful recipe! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

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