Dal Palak, or Spinach Dal, is a simple and delicious comfort food. Yellow lentils and spinach make this delightful one-pot Indian dish. It is healthy and loved by everyone. It goes well with rice or roti.
What is Dal Palak (Spinach Dal)
Dal is quintessential Indian food. Indian home food is incomplete without this lentil soup/ dal. Dal Palak(Spinach Dal) is the ultimate Indian comfort food. I remember growing up, we used to have dal all seven days a week, sometimes with roti (Indian flatbread ) and sometimes with white rice. I loved the rice-dal combination so much. With a dollop of ghee /clarified butter, it was a food that satisfied everyone’s soul. Dal is a protein powerhouse for vegetarians. Typically, Indian food has three main components—proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins—from dal, rice, and any vegetable curry. It’s simple, nutritious, and tastes delicious. The fall season is upon us, and I love how the evenings are getting more relaxed with each passing day. These days, I crave something hot, comforting, and soupy. Lentils with spinach or Dal Palak serve this purpose and provide warmth.
Which Lentil is to be used for Dal Palak?
Traditionally, Dal palak is made of Tur Dal / Arhar dal or Split Pigeon Peas, but you can also make it with Moong Dal /Moong beans / Masoor Dal or Red lentils. One cup of Tur Dal / Split Pigeon Peas contains 20 g of protein.
How To Make in an Instant Pot-
I prefer making Dal Palak in two steps. In the first step, I boiled lentils with salt and water in the instant pot for 4 minutes. Later, I made an excellent tempering; I mixed lentils and infused them into the dal. You can certainly do it in one step, but I believe doing it in two makes this dish unbelievably yummy and flavorful.
How to Make Dal Palak in a Pressure Cooker-
Like the instant pot, dal is boiled in a pressure cooker, and later, a flavorful tempering is infused. The pressure cooker is the traditional vessel for making dal. We grew up eating dal in a pressure cooker; however, I am making it in my trustworthy Instant Pot these days.
What Can I Serve With this?
Traditionally, it is served with rice or Indian flatbreads, but you can always eat this with regular bread slices or baguettes. My husband has a low-carb diet nowadays, so I serve him quinoa with dal. There are no limitations, and you can have it however you like.
Can I freeze Dal Palak (Spinach Dal)
Absolutely. You can store dal palak in the fridge for 2-3 days. Before serving, reheat it for 5-7 minutes, sprinkle some lemon juice, and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.
You May Want To Check these Recipes,
Saffron Rice
Langar Wali Dal
