Best 7 Indian Lentils And Spinach Recipes

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Indian lentils and spinach, also known as Dal Palak, is a classic dish that combines the goodness of lentils and iron-rich spinach, making it a nutritious and flavorful meal. This vegetarian-friendly dish, popular in many regions of India, is not only delicious but also packed with health benefits. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner in the kitchen, this article will guide you through the steps of creating an authentic and delectable Indian lentils and spinach dish. We'll explore the ingredients you'll need, provide detailed instructions for cooking, and share some tips and tricks to enhance the flavors and textures of this culinary treat. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and let's dive into the world of Indian cuisine to uncover the secrets of making the perfect lentils and spinach dish.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

SPINACH CHANA DAL



Spinach Chana Dal image

Spinach Chana Dal is an Indian recipe otherwise known as yellow lentils with spinach. This flavorful dish contains split chickpeas and a wide range of spices that really get your tastebuds going. See how to make this recipe from our team member Kiran.

Provided by Kiran Dodeja Smith

Categories     Dinner     Sides

Time 1h45m

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 1/2 cups chana dal (soaked overnight and washed and drained after soaking (dried split chickpeas, often sold in the bulk section))
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter - could substitute olive oil)
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin (whole seeds)
1 onion (large, peeled and chopped)
2-3 cloves garlic (peeled and chopped)
1-2 teaspoons ginger (fresh, peeled and grated)
1 green chili (chopped)
5 ounces spinach (fresh, chopped)

Steps:

  • Put the dal in a medium-sized pot with 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, skimming the foam that rises to the top. Once it boils, stir in the turmeric and cover partially, occasionally stirring. Cook for 75 minutes, being careful to check and stir a few times after 60 minutes. Stir in the salt when the dal is done.
  • While the dal cooks, heat the ghee in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the mustard and cumin seeds. Stir for 30 seconds and then add the onion. Saute 5-6 minutes or until the onion starts to brown.
  • Add the garlic, ginger, and green chili and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
  • Add the spinach and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil and cover. Cook until the spinach wilts, around 8-10 minutes.
  • When the dal is done cooking, add the spinach mixture to it and combine. If the dal feels too dry, stir in a bit of water to a consistency of your liking. Adjust salt to taste.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 303 kcal, Carbohydrate 48 g, Protein 12 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Cholesterol 14 mg, Sodium 649 mg, Fiber 18 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

FAVORITE INDIAN LENTILS AND SPINACH (DAL PALAK)



Favorite Indian Lentils and Spinach (Dal Palak) image

Known as dal palak in India, this much-loved everyday meal involves cooking lentils very simply with a little turmeric and spinach, then giving them a big flavor boost with a tarka - an infusion of spices and ghee (clarified butter). It's Indian comfort food at its best. The recipe is a Yummly original created by [Prerna Singh](https://www.yummly.com/dish/author/Prerna-Singh).

Provided by Yummly

Categories     Main Dishes

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup red lentils split, masoor dal
5 ounces baby spinach leaves
1 quart water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
4 large garlic cloves
3 tablespoons ghee clarified butter, or use regular unsalted butter
1/8 teaspoon asafetida optional, buy at Indian markets and online
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
3 whole dried chilies preferably Kashmiri
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon Garam Masala
1/4 cup cilantro optional
basmati rice steamed, for serving, optional

Steps:

  • Rinse the lentils well in a fine strainer under running water. Coarsely chop the spinach.
  • Transfer the lentils and spinach in a medium to large saucepan and add the water, salt, and turmeric. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender, about 45 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Mince the garlic. Heat the ghee in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce heat and add the asefetida, if using, and cumin seeds. As soon as they begin to sputter, add the garlic. Cook garlic until it begins to turn golden, about 1 minute. Add the chilies, paprika, and garam masala and briefly stir. Turn the heat off and pour the tarka (spiced ghee) over the dal. Stir well.
  • Chop the cilantro, if using. Scatter it over dal and serve with basmati rice if you like.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310 calories, Carbohydrate 44 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 17 grams, Protein 15 grams, Sodium 640 milligrams, Sugar 1 grams

INDIAN LENTIL CURRY WITH SPINACH



indian lentil curry with spinach image

Provided by romain | glebekitchen

Categories     Main

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 Tbsp coriander powder
2 tsp cumin powder
1 tsp kashmiri chili powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 cups red split lentils (masoor dahl)
3 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp turmeric
8 oz baby spinach (coarsely chopped)
4 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion (finely chopped)
2 green chilies (minced)
2 Tbsp garlic ginger paste ( - recipe link below)
1/4 cup tomatoes (diced or use 2 Tbsp tomato paste diluted in 2 Tbsp water)
1 tsp salt (to start. You are going to need more. Adjust to taste.)

Steps:

  • Combine the lentils, water and turmeric in a pot big enough to hold the spinach.
  • Bring to a simmer and cook, covered, until the lentils disintegrate, about 40 minutes. Add a bit more water if needed. You are going for a thick puree consistency.
  • Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  • Add the oil. When the oil starts to shimmer, add the onion and cook until the edges of the onions start to brown.
  • Stir in the green chili and garlic ginger paste and cook until the sputtering stops.
  • Add the spice mix and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly. This is the critical step. You don't want your spices to burn.
  • Add the tomato paste and stir. Turn the heat down and let it simmer 3-4 minutes.
  • Stir the tempering into the lentils. Add the salt and taste.
  • Mix in the spinach, a bit at a time, letting it wilt into the dal. When all the spinach has been mixed in, cover and let simmer 5 minutes.
  • Adjust the salt and serve. You are going to need more. For sure. So creep up on it. Add a bit. Stir. Taste. Add some more. Keep going until you get it where you want it.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 8 servings, Calories 168 kcal, Carbohydrate 19 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 8 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 824 mg, Fiber 9 g, Sugar 2 g

INDIAN LENTILS AND SPINACH



Indian Lentils and Spinach image

I combined two other recipes to create this.

Provided by artyjeep

Categories     Side Dish     Beans and Peas

Time 1h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 white onion, halved and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup lentils
½ cup water
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 bay leaf
1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
¼ cup water

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in the hot oil until beginning to turn golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add minced garlic to onion; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute more.
  • Mix chicken broth, lentils, 1/2 cup water, crushed garlic, coriander, salt, cumin, chili powder, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf into onion mixture; bring to a boil. Cover pan, lower heat to medium-low, and simmer until lentils are soft, about 35 minutes.
  • Place spinach in a microwave-safe bowl and add 1/4 cup water; heat in microwave for 5 minutes. Stir spinach and continue cooking in microwave until heated through, about 5 minutes more. Let spinach cool, about 5 minutes; drain water and squeeze excess water from spinach.
  • Mix spinach into lentils; cover pan and simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 129.3 calories, Carbohydrate 20 g, Fat 2.4 g, Fiber 9.4 g, Protein 8.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.4 g, Sodium 324.6 mg, Sugar 2 g

INDIAN LENTILS AND SPINACH



Indian Lentils and Spinach image

Came at a good time - a healthy tasty easy daal recipe to lighten things up a bit during the holidays. Received in email from gourmet-recipes-from-around-the-world (Thanks Petros).

Provided by Busters friend

Categories     < 60 Mins

Time 55m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup brown lentils
2 vegetable bouillon cubes
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
1 teaspoon thyme
1/2 onion
1 carrot
3 garlic cloves
1 cup spinach
5 cups water

Steps:

  • Mince the garlic.
  • Dice the carrot and onion.
  • Fresh or frozen spinach can be used.
  • Coarsely chop the spinach if fresh.
  • Rinse and drain the lentils.
  • Add all the ingredients but the spinach into the pot and allow to.
  • simmer until beans are at the desired texture between 45 min to 1 hour.
  • Bean freshness also varies the cooking time.
  • The older the dried bean the longer it takes to cook.
  • Once the lentils are done remove the bay leaf and add the spinach.
  • Cook for a minute longer then take off the heat.
  • If not eating in the next hour or so put into the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 195.1, Fat 1.1, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 29.8, Carbohydrate 33.7, Fiber 15.7, Sugar 2.4, Protein 13.4

DAHI DAL (YOGURT LENTIL CURRY WITH SPINACH)



Dahi Dal (Yogurt Lentil Curry With Spinach) image

This comforting vegetarian Indian dish is quick and easy to make: just add couple of fresh ingredients thrown into a pan of simply seasoned dal.

Provided by Chetna Makan

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

100g (3½ oz.) spilt moong dal
400ml (14 fl oz.) boiling water
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
1-inch piece piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
7 oz. fresh spinach leaves
2 tablespoons ghee
2 onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon chile powder
3 tablespoons plain yogurt

Steps:

  • Put the moong dal in a pan with the measured boiling water, salt, turmeric and ginger. Bring to the boil, then cover and cook over a low to medium heat for 10 minutes. Add the spinach, cover again and cook for another 5 minutes until the lentils are soft and the spinach has wilted.
  • Meanwhile, heat the ghee in a frying pan, add the onions and cook over a low to medium heat for 10 minutes until golden, then stir in the chile powder. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Once the lentils are ready, blitz to a purée with a hand blender or in a blender or food processor. Return to the pan, if necessary, and bring to the boil. Then take off the heat, add the yogurt and mix well. Transfer the dal to a serving bowl, top with the fried onions and serve.

CHANA DAL (YELLOW LENTILS) WITH SPINACH



Chana Dal (Yellow Lentils) With Spinach image

Chana dal (or bengal gram) is my favorite variety of lentil, and together with spinach with a wonderful blend of spices in this dish, makes for a very wholesome, nourishing meal.Prep time does not include time for pre-soaking lentils. (Note: this is a rather dry lentil dish, if you prefer the more wet, soupy variety then you could opt for another recipe with chana dal that I have posted: #83985)

Provided by eatrealfood

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 40m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

3/4 cup channa dal (in a pinch, use canned chickpeas)
3/4 cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil or 2 tablespoons ghee
1/4 teaspoon black mustard seeds
2 bay leaves
1 cinnamon stick
1 onion
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon ginger (grated)
10 ounces frozen spinach, thawed
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Wash lentils and allow to soak in water at least an hour before use (I usually let mine soak overnight).
  • Drain the lentils, place in a large pot with enough water to cover the lentils, bring to a boil and let simmer for 20-30 minutes until the lentils have softened (you may use additional water to do this).
  • Cook uncovered to let the cooking liquid evaporate - but be careful not to overcook such that they become mushy.
  • Heat oil, add bay leaves and cinnamon, and then fry mustard seeds till they sputter, then add onion, ginger, garlic and chili and fry a further 5 minutes.
  • Add spinach and cook for 10 minutes or until spinach is dry and liquid has been absorbed.
  • Stir in the remaining spices and salt and cook for 3-4 minutes.
  • Finally add the lentils, stir and cook a further 5 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 236.5, Fat 9.6, SaturatedFat 1.2, Sodium 363.4, Carbohydrate 29.9, Fiber 9.5, Sugar 5.8, Protein 10.6

Tips:

  • Use high-quality lentils: Buy lentils that are free of debris, such as stones or dirt. Lentils should also be a uniform color and size.
  • Rinse the lentils well: Rinsing the lentils will remove any dirt or debris that may be present. It will also help to reduce the cooking time.
  • Soak the lentils (optional): Soaking the lentils for 30 minutes to overnight will help them cook more evenly. However, this step is not necessary.
  • Use a variety of spices: Indian spices are essential for giving lentils their characteristic flavor. Common spices used in lentil dishes include cumin, coriander, turmeric, and garam masala.
  • Add vegetables: Vegetables such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, and carrots can be added to lentils to increase their nutritional value and flavor.
  • Use coconut milk: Coconut milk can be added to lentils to give them a creamy and rich flavor. It is a good alternative for people who are lactose intolerant.
  • Serve with rice or bread: Lentils are typically served with rice or bread. They can also be used as a filling for tacos or burritos.

Conclusion:

Lentils are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are a good source of protein, fiber, and iron. Lentils are also relatively inexpensive and easy to cook. With so many different ways to prepare them, there is sure to be a lentil dish that everyone will enjoy.

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