Urad dal Palak and award avalanche

Urad dal palak. As the name indicates, it is a lentil curry that is prepared using split black lentils and spinach. I stumbled on this humble and fuss free recipe in  Ruchi Mehta's Punjabi Khana. I have always used moong or masoor dal to make currys. But when I saw that this recipe used Urad dal, I could not resist trying out this out. The result was a simple yet creamy delectable dal that goes great with either rice or rotis.

Urad dal Palak recipe

Preparation time: 15mins

Cooking time: 15min

Serves- 4

Urad dal or split black gram- 1 cup

Spinach- 1 large bunch, washed and chopped

Onion- 1 large, chopped fine

Tomatoes- 2, chopped fine

Ginger- Garlic paste- 1tsp

Green chilli- 1 slit

Cumin seeds or Jeera- 1tsp

Red chilli powder- 1/2tsp

Coriander powder- 1/2tsp

Salt to taste

Garam masala- 1/4tsp

Kasoori methi- 1/2tsp

Sugar- 1/2tsp

Turmeric- 1/4tsp

Oil or ghee- 1tbsp

Coriander to Garnish- 1tbsp

Butter- 1 tbsp (optional)

Method:

• Wash and pressure cook the dal along with the chopped spinach for 4-5 whistles till done.
• Heat oil or ghee in a wok and add the cumin seeds
• Once they turn brown, add the onion and fry till transparent.
• Add the ginger-garlic paste and the slit green chilli and saute till the raw smell goes
• Add the chopped tomatoes and fry for a min.
• Add the turmeric powder, Coriander powder, red chilli powder, salt and sugar and fry for 2 more min
• stir in the cooked dal and spinach mixture and mix well.
• Add about half cup of water, kasoori methi and garam masala to the dal and simmer on a low flame for 5min.
• Take off the heat. Garnish with coriander leaves and butter and serve hot with rice or rotis.

This recipe is my contribution to Aipi and Priya's Tuesday Book marked recipe event

Today, I woke to the fact that I have become a little too  lazy  or buzy in accepting the awards that has been so lovingly passed over to me by my loving blogger friends. I would want to accept all of these awards today and share with all of my well deserving blogging friends.

Anu shantanu of Bhalo Khabo has passed on not 1 not 2 but seven awards to me. If have not visited her blog as yet, then you must for some authentic bengali recipes

Shobha of food mazaa passed on this cool trophy

And  last but not the least, I have been conferred the "Lovely blog award" by tahemeem and Priya and "the stylish blog award by Priya. Thanks a lot guys!!!