Author Notes: One of my favorite comfort foods is this clean non-fussy dish of Spinach Dal. This one goes way back from when I was a kid in India. Every Indian home makes very many kinds of ‘dal’ – a soupy lentil side dish which is a staple of every meal. This Spinach Dal was what my childhood friend Minoo’s mom cooked often. I remember spending long lazy summer afternoons (no tv or computers) at her house with the aroma of the her mother’s cooking wafting through. After a long work day, nothing feels as good as to have a bowl of this dal with rice or roti. Rich in protein and iron, this nutritious dal with the aroma of ghee, is always a standby. —Aditi Goswami
Serves: 6
Ingredients
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1 1/2
cups split yellow pigeon peas (toor dal)
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6
cups water
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1
medium tomato, chopped
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2
teaspoons whole cumin seeds
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1/4
teaspoon turmeric
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1/4
teaspoon cayenne
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2
tablespoons oil
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pinches asafoetida, optional
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1
teaspoon salt
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1
tablespoon “ghee” (clarified butter) optional
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4
cups chopped spinach
Directions
- Cook dal in water with 1 tsp salt and the chopped tomato till soft and mushy. Add more water if it gets dry.
- In a wok or a saucepan, add the oil and heat on high. Add the asafoetida, if using, and the whole cumin seeds to the hot oil till it sizzles and is fragrant, about 5 seconds (careful not to burn the spices).
- Add the spinach and turmeric and cayenne and saute for a few minutes. Add the cooked dal and stir mixture well, adding more water if necessary. Bring to a boil and simmer for 7 mins at a medium simmer. Drizzle a tablespoon ghee on top.
- Serve hot with rice or flat bread.