Dal Palak (Spinach Dal)

4 standard portions

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup toor dal/arhar dal (also known as split pigeon peas lentil)
• 1/2 cup masoor dal (also known as split red lentil)
• 3 + 1/2 cups water (24 oz + 4 oz, divided)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon oil (I used avocado oil)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon hing (asafoetida )
• 4-5 large garlic cloves (chopped)
• 1 inch ginger (chopped)
• 1-2 green chili (chopped, to taste)
• 3-4 cups chopped spinach
• half lemon (juice of or add more to taste)
• garam masala (to sprinkle, optional)

Method

1. To the inner steel bowl of the Instant pot add the toor dal (pigeon pea lentil) and masoor dal (split red lentils) and 3 cups water.Add 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Give a stir. Close the lid and press the pressure cook or manual button. Cook on high pressure for 8 minutes with the pressure valve in the sealing position. Let the pressure release naturally. Stove-top pressure cooker: cook on high heat for 2 whistles, then lower the flame and cook for another 7 to 8 minutes or until the lentils are completely cooked. Let the pressure release naturally.
2. This step is optional, but if you want you can blend the dal a little at this point using a wooden spatula or immersion blender. This way you won't have any dal particles in your final spinach dal but as I mentioned, it's completely optional. Set this aside.
3. Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Once hot add cumin seeds and let it sizzle for a few seconds. Then add 1/4 teaspoon hing and stir.
4. Add the chopped ginger, garlic and green chili. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic and ginger start turning brown in color.
5. Then add in 3 to 4 cups of chopped spinach. Cook the spinach for 3 to 4 minutes stirring often. The leaves will wilt as the spinach cooks and volume of the spinach will reduce.
6. Add the boiled dal into the pot now. Give a good stir until everything is well combined. Now, let the dal come to a boil. I added additional 1/2 cup water at this point as the dal was too thick for my liking.
7. Let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, then squeeze in some lemon juice. You can also sprinkle some garam masala if you like at this point. I didn't add anything and kept it simple. Serve hot with rice or roti.