Dal Palak

Dal Palak is a delicious lentil based Indian dish that brings goodness of spinach, garlic together as a humble accompaniment. Here is how to make Dal Palak Recipe in true Dhaba Style.

Lentils are an essential part of Indian meals. I don’t remember a single day in my life when any type of lentil is not cooked in my house. There are a variety of lentils to choose from and you can make changes in the recipes to give it a new flavor.

For today’s lunch, I cooked the split yellow lentil with spinach added to it or as popularly called Dal Palak or Spinach Dal. It is a favorite combination in my family and the tadka of garlic gives it a delicious flavor. 

Palak Moong Dal is a delicious lentil based, authentic Indian dishes that brings goodness of spinach, garlic together as a humble accompaniment. It is perfect to be served with fresh steamed rice.

Moong Dal and Chopped Spinach leaves is a wonderful combination, and surprisingly so, considering both have very different tastes. However, when cooked together they make for a very healthy, nutritious and protein-rich gravy.

Although I make moong dal very often at home, this time, for a change tried to make this Palak Moong Dal combo. It goes well with any rice and sabzi and can be enjoyed with rotis and lacchas too.

Moong dal is one versatile lentil, and can be cooked in a number of ways, mixed with radish leaves to make Mooli Ke Patte Wali Moong Dal, sweet Moong Dal Halwa and rich Moong Dal Payasam Yet, for us, this Dal Palak in true Dhaba Style also stays favourite as it is healthy as well.

Why must you eat Moong Dal?

Moong Dal is full of protein and low carb.

Furthermore, it is one of the best vegetarian superfoods.

It is also very light and easy to digest.

All in all, you just need a pressure cooker to make this extraordinary dal palak recipe. And having stated its health benefits, therefore, I do think that this Dal Palak Recipe must be tried by you!

So, get ready to pressure cook some moong dal with a few cups of water. Then add lime juice, add ginger garlic, green chilli, garam masala along with spinach leaves and you are done. A soothing, aromatic, light brown spinach dal would be ready for you in no time. Bookmark its recipe:

How to make Andhra Style Palak Dal?

Spinach dal is also called as Palakura Pappu in Andhra.

To make Andhra Style Spinach dal, Cook the dal with salt, turmeric powder and spinach.

Heat ghee in a pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing and dry red chillies and let them crackle for a few seconds.

Add curry leaves, garlic and onion and fry until onion turns slightly brown. Now add chopped tomatoes, green chillies, sambar powder and salt and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Add the cooked dal and tamarind paste and mix well.

Variations of Dal Palak

Dal – You can change the lentils to make this Dal Palak. I have used Dhuli Moong Dal in this recipe, but you can replace it with Hari Moong Dal, Dhuli Masoor Dal, Chana Dal or Tuvar Dal.

Greens – Along with Palak or Spinach, you can also add greens like Bathua (Chenopodium), Methi or even kale Leaves. Radish Greens  can also be added in this Dal.

Tempering – You can give a very simple tempering of Hing and Jeera to this Dal. If you want it more complex, add onion in the tempering as well.

A tempering of Panch Phoran will also give it a new style.

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Palak Paneer

Dal Tadka

Palak Raita

Palak Pakoda

How to make Palak Dal Step by Step

Wash the dal and put it in a pressure pan. Add 3 cups of water, chopped spinach, salt and turmeric powder. 

Pressure cook till done. Add lemon juice in cooked dal.

Heat ghee in a small pan. When the ghee is hot, add ginger, garlic, dry red chilies and green chilli. Fry till garlic is slightly browned.

Add cumin seeds and heeng. Switch off the heat.

Add red chilli powder and immediately pour the ghee over the cooked dal.