Simple Spinach Dal

Spinach Dal

This simple recipe that satisfies is another house favorite and staple. Though traditionally accompanied by chapatis or rice, I find it works well as a soup with some nice bread.

Ingredients

1 cup mung dal
1/2 lb chopped spinach
1/4 tsp turmeric
8-12 curry leaves  
salt to taste

For grind

1/2 cup grated coconut
2 small cloves of garlic
1 tbsp cumin seeds

Preparation

1. Boil 6 to 8 cups of water. Add the mung dal and turmeric and reduce the heat to medium high (low enough that it doesn't go crazy and boil over and high enough to boil reasonably vigorously). Use a flat spatula to stir from time to time and ensure that the dal does not stick to the bottom of the pan.
2. Microwave the chopped spinach with 2 tbsp of water in a covered glass container until cooked. (On our medium powered microwave, I use 6 minutes at full power + 6 minutes at half power.)
3. Add the cooked spinach to the dal and continue boiling.
4. Grind the grated coconut, garlic and cumin seeds with 3/4 cups of water till fairly smooth.
5. Add the ground ingredients to the dal and allow to boil for around 15 minutes till the smell of raw garlic disappears.
6. Add salt and curry leaves. By now the dal should be fully cooked and the ingredients well integrated. 
7. Taste the dal, adjust the salt if necessary. Turn off the heat.