Palak Dal / Indian Lentils with Spinach

There are a zillion ways to make dal. This recipe is just more than the normal dal and any green leafy vegetable like palak or spinach, methi, malabar spinach can be added to it. I got this recipe from my friend Pri. She is a great cook and is a very patient and meticulate in her cooking methods. The last time we had lunch together she had got this dal and I took the recipe from her. This dal is very easy to prepare and goes well with roti too.

Ingredients

1 cup toor dal
1 bunch palak or spinach
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
pinch of heeng
1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon oil or ghee
salt for taste


Method
Wash and chop the palak and the tomato. Wash the dal and keep aside. Heat oil in a pressure cooker and add mustard and cumin seeds. When the mustard seeds splutter, add asafoetida, turmeric powder and chili powder. Add chopped palak and stir for 3-4 minutes. Add the chopped tomato and stir for 2 minutes. Add the dal and 2 1/2 cups of hot water. Pressure cook till the dal is soft. Serve with roti or rice.