Palak Dal - Akkoora Pappu

Another post to another food blog event. Hopefully, I'll take part in more events and keep updating my blog.

Healing Foods was started by Siri of Siri's Corner. This month, its hosted by Divya of Dil Se, the topic being "Spinach".


I like spinach and am glad even my one and half year old son likes it too (atleast he doesn't say no to it).

I am sure many people make Palak Dal in a lot of different ways. Here's my take on it:


Ingredients
300gms Frozen chopped spinach
1 cup toor dal - washed
1 medium sized onion - sliced
5 green chillies - slit length wise
1 tomato - chopped
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp garlic paste
lime sized tamarind soaked in water and deseeded.

For the tadka (popu / tiragamata):
2 red chillies
1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds (methi / mentulu)
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
few curry leaves
2 tbsp vegetable / sunflower oil

Method

1. Pressure cook spinach, toor dal, 3/4 of the onion, green chillies and turmeric powder with 3 cups of water for about 3 whistles (till the toor dal is done). You can blend it if you want it really smooth. I prefer not to.
   
2. In a separate pan, heat the oil and break the red chillies. Add the fenugreek seeds and fry for 30 seconds. Now add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds and curry leaves.
3. Once the mustard seeds start spluttering, add the garlic paste and fry for 30 seconds - taking care it doesn't burn.
4. Now add the rest of the onion and fry till it starts turning brown. Then add the tomato and cook till its done.
5. Add the tamarind paste and bring to a boil.
6. Add this to the pressure cooker and add the salt.
7. Bring to a boil and turn off the heat.
8. Serve hot with rice.