Dal Palak

Ingredients

• ______________ For Masala water ____________
• Pisa dhanya (coriander powder) 3 tablespoon
• Haldi (turmeric powder) 1/2 teaspoon
• Pisi lal mirchain (red chili powder) 1 tablespoon
• Pisa zeera (cumin powder) 1 tablespoon
• Garam pani (luke warm water) 1 cup
• Chana dal (Split bengal gram) 1 cup (wash and in soak in some water for 60 minutes)
• _____________ For Boiling Dal ________________
• Pani (water) 1 liter
• Haldi (turmeric powder) 1/2 teaspoon
• Pisi lal mirch (red chili powder) 1/4 teaspoon
• Pisa dhanya (coriander powder) 1/4 teaspoon
• Garam masala powder 1/4 teaspoon
• Ghee 1 teaspoon
• Kati hari mirchain (finely chopped green chilies) 1-2
• Hara dhanya (fresh coriander) 1 tablespoon (chopped)
• ___________________ For Palak Dal Gravy ________________
• Ghee 3 tablespoon (you may use desi ghee as well)
• Sabut zeera (cumin seeds) 1 teaspoon
• Dar chini (cinnamon stick) 1
• Bari iliaichi (black cardamom) 1
• Laung (cloves) 4-5
• Sabut kali mirchain (black pepper corns) 8-10
• Sokhi sabut lal mirchain (dry red chilies) 2-3
• Namak (salt) 1 & 1/2 teaspoon
• Taiz paat (bay leaves) 2
• Piyaz (onion) 3 medium size (grated)
• Tamatar (tomato) 2 large size (grated or finely chopped)
• Pisa adrak lehsan (ginger garlic paste) 1 tablespoon
• Hari mirchain (green chilies) 2 (finely chopped)
• hara dhanya (fresh coriander) 2 tablespoon
• Dhanya (fresh mint) 1 tablespoon (optional)
• Malai or fresh cream 1/2 cup (you may add 2 tablespoon ghee or butter as well)
• Kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves) 1 tablespoon
• __________________ For Tadka _______________
• Ghee 4-5 tablespoon
• Piyaz (onion) 4-5 (thinly sliced)
• Sabut lal mirchain (dried whole red chilies) 2-3
• Hari mirchain (green chilies) 2 (slit)
• Hara dhanya (chopped Fresh coriander) for garnishing

Directions

1. 1

   _____________ For Masala Water _____________

2. 2

   In a bowl add coriander powder, haldi, red chili powder, cumin powder, add around 1 cup luke warm water in this masala, mix well and keep aside.

3. 3

   _____________ For Dal boiling ____________

4. 4

   In a bowl add chana dal and wash it well. Soak dal in hot water for around 60 minutes. 

5. 5

   In a pot take around 1 liter of water.

6. 6

   Then add turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and ghe in this water and mix well.

7. 7

   Let the water come to the boil and then add soaked and drained chana dal in it.

8. 8

   Boil dal for 5-6 minutes over medium flame, when it is 90% cooked take off from the flame and keep aside. Do not through the water as we will use it later.

9. 9

   ______________ For Dal Palak Gravy _____________

10. 10

    Chop and boil spinach in hot water for 4-5 minutes, then grind to a coarse consistency and keep aside.

11. 11

    In a pot add ghee and let it heat.

12. 12

    The add cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, black cardamom, cloves, black pepper corns, dry red chilies, salt and bay leaves in the ghee, roast over low flame for few seconds.

13. 13

    Add grated onion in it, let it cook till it turns transparent. 

14. 14

    Add grated tomatoes along with ginger garlic paste and green chilies, mix well. Cook for about 1 minute.

15. 15

    Add already prepared masala water and mix well.

16. 16

    Add finely chopped fresh coriander and mint leaves, cover the pot and let the masala cook over medium flame for 7-8 minutes, stir in between.

17. 17

    Add malai or fresh cream in the water, mix well.

18. 18

    When you see ghee over the top add kasuri methi, mix well.

19. 19

    Add spinach in the prepared masala and mix well. Cook for 8-10 minutes on high flame while stirring continuously.

20. 20

    When you see the gravy is thickened and almost dried, add boiled dal along with its water, mix well.

21. 21

    __________________ Prepare Tadka _____________

22. 22

    Heat ghee in a pan and add thinly sliced onion in it, cook till they turn golden brown. 

23. 23

    Add dried whole red chilies, slit green chilies and cook for few seconds.

24. 24

    Pour this prepared tadka over cooked dal palak, mix well. 

25. 25

    Garnish with chopped fresh coriander..

26. 26

    Tasty dal palak tadka is ready to serve.