Chana Dal Palak | Spinach Chana Dal

Dal or lentils is a staple vegetarian dish in every Indian household. The simple dal chawal or varan-bhaat is an absolute comfort food for most Indians. There are various types of lentils that are used to make dal. Each state of India has its own way of preparing dal and each household has its own version. Some of the dal recipes in this blog are Dal Banjari, Dal Hari Bhari, Five Lentils Dal,  Ambat Varan, Masoor Dal with vegetables, Drumstick Dal and Dal Makhni. Chana Dal Palak is one such dal recipe with the goodness of spinach. This easy to make sabzi can be served with rotis and pomegranate raita. It tastes great with rice too. The combination of chana dal with palak alongwith onion, tomatoes, ginger, garlic and spices make this dal very aromatic, delicious and nutritious.  Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

1/2 cup split bengal gram (chana dal)
2 cups chopped spinach (palak)
1 tsp clarified butter (ghee)
1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
1 onion, finely chopped (pyaaz)
1 tomato, finely chopped (tamatar)
1 tsp ginger garlic paste (adrak lehsun paste)
½  tsp turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tbsp  red chilly powder (laal mirch powder)
1 tsp cumin-coriander powder (dhaniya jeera powder)
½  tsp garam masala
1 tbsp chopped coriander (hara dhaniya)
Salt as per taste.(namak)

Method

• Wash and soak chana dal in water for minimum 2 hours. 
• Drain the water and transfer to a pressure cooker.
• Add turmeric powder and salt.
• Add a cup of water.
• Pressure cook chana dal for 2 to 3 whistles. 
• Do not overcook chana dal.
• Open the pressure cooker, after the steam escapes fully.
• Keep the cooked chana dal aside.
• Heat ghee  in a pan.
• Add cumin seeds.
• When the seeds start crackling, add the chopped onions.
• Saute the onions till they turn golden brown in colour.
• Next, add the chopped tomatoes and ginger garlic paste.
• Saute and cook till the tomatoes are fully cooked.
• Add the chopped palak.
• Give a mix and cook covered for few minutes. 
• Now add the cooked chana dal, red chilly powder, cumin-coriander powder, garam masala and salt.
• Mix everything and cook for another 2 to 3  minutes. 
• Palak chana dal is ready to be served.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve with rotis or rice.

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