Simple Dal Palak

I am always looking for interesting vegetarian dishes and I guess I have been on a lentil kick lately.

Dal Palak Recipe from The Kitchn https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-very-simple-dal-palak-80763


ServinG: 4 cups

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 large onion, diced

  • 1 packages (about 16 oz/ 450g) white button or baby bella mushrooms, roughly chopped

  • 1 medium-sized red or white potatoes, cubed

  • 1/2 inch fresh ginger, minced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tsp coriander

  • 1.5 Tsp garam masala

  • 1 tsps red chili powder

  • 1 16-oz or 500g can of diced tomatoes

  • 5 oz or 150g bunch of spinach (or more if desired!), cleaned and cut into ribbons

  • 1/2 cup red lentils

  • 1.5 cups of water or broth

  • 1 tbsp salt

  • 1-2 scallions, chopped

Method:

Heat one tablespoon of olive oil in a large dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions, the mushrooms, and one teaspoon of salt, and cook until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms show spots of golden brown. Add the potatoes and another teaspoon of salt, and cook until the edges are just starting to turn translucent.

Clear a space in the middle of the pan and add the ginger, garlic, spices, and one more teaspoon of salt. Cook until the garlic is fragrant (30 seconds), and then stir the spices into the mix. Add the diced tomatoes in their juices, the spinach, and the lentils. Stir to combine everything and then top with three cups of water or broth.

Turn the heat to high and bring the soup to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for about 45 minutes until the lentils and potatoes are cooked through. Taste the soup to adjust the seasonings and salt. Stir in half of the chopped scallions, reserving the rest to use as garnish.

Serve dal along with rice, naan, or chapatis.

the original recipe was double the amount (8 cups) which i thought was a bit too much for two people. in the recipe it says it freezes well, which is good to know for next time. i can make the full recipe and whatever is left i will then freeze. this recipe was super easy and very delicious. you can alter the some of the ingredients depending what is in your fridge as i had done, i didn’t have any spinach but i did have some green beans which worked just fine. i did add a bit more chili as well i like it a bit more spicy. i will definitely be making this again as it is super easy and quick to prep and cook, there is a bit of waiting needed for the lentils and potatoes to cook but if you cut the potatoes smaller it can lessen the time a bit. although it is a super easy recipe it does have a lot of flavor and will definitely fill you up. a simple and healthy weekday meal.

cooking, dinner, gluten free, lactose free, vegan, vegetarianJackie Wongdal palak, lentils, indianComment