Dal Palak (Split Red Gram and Spinach Soup)

Like any other vegetarian I rely heavily upon dals since is one of the few sources of Protein available to us. Dal Palak is a unique combination of spinach (which is a rich source of iron) and Dal and it has the best of both the worlds!! I don't like eating spinach and by cooking this dish, my husband makes sure that I eat it and truly speaking I just love it. Here is my husband's easy and tasty recipe :)

Ingredients -
Serves - 3-4 people
Split Red Gram (Tuvar Dal) - 1 cup
Finally Chopped Spinach - 2-3cups
Chopped Green Chilies - 1 tbsp
Chopped Ginger - 1 tsp
Finally Chopped Onions - 1 cup
Green Curry leaves - 3-4 nos
Cumin Seeds- 1tsp
Asafetida (Hing)- 1/4 tsp
Garam Masala Powder - 1tsp
Red Chili Powder - 1tsp (optional)
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tbsp
Chopped Green Coriander – 2 tbsp
Oil/Ghee for frying – 3 tbsp
Salt To taste

Note- Here I have used Split Red Gram but one can use masoor dal (split orange lentils) , moong dal (split yellow lentils) or chana dal (bengal gram / yellow gram). Vegans avoid ghee/butter as it is made of milk.

Method-
Put split Red Gram (Tuvar Dal), chopped spinach and 2 cups of water in a pressure cooker with salt and turmeric powder and cook it for almost 3-4 whistles. Allow it to cool naturally.

In a pan take oil. Once it’s hot add the Asafetida (Hing) and cumin seeds. WhenCumin seeds start spluttering add Green Curry Leaves, Green chilies and Ginger. Once the ginger and chilies become slightly golden brown in color add chopped onions (Make sure you keep the flame on medium) . Cook onions till they become slightly golden brown. Now add the Garam Masala and Red Chili powder. Cook it for almost half a min on low flame (make sure you don’t burn the masala). Switch off the flame and add the boiled Dal mixture in the that. Stir it well and garnish it with green coriander and 1tsp ghee/butter. Taddaaaaaaaaaaa its ready to slurp :) Serve it hot with rice or parathas!!!