Ever since Siri hosted AWED Sri Lanka Recipes event, I got hooked to the cuisine. I had borrowed a book and this is the third recipe I tried from it. A simple palak dal recipe (lentils and spinach) but enhanced in true Sri Lankan way not to mention the addition of the ever-present coconut milk.
The book I had only mentioned dal and I wasn’t sure which dal they were referring to. So I used toor dal. You could also try this with moong dal and get a totally different flavour. Yummy either ways, I am sure.
Sri Lankan Palak Dal /Lentils with Spinach
Preparation time: 40 mins
Serves: 2 to 4What I Used:
1.5 cups toor dal
A big bunch of spinach, chopped (about 4 cups loosely packed)
1 small onion, chopped fine
1 small tomato, chopped fine
2 dried red chillies
2 garlic pods, crushed
A 1″ piece of cinnamon
1/2 tsp cumin seeds / jeera
1.5 cups light coconut milk
Salt to tasteFor tempering:
2 tsp oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
A few pieces of rampe/ pandan leaves or curry leavesHow to make Palak Dal:
1. The first step is to cook the lentils. Usually I use pressure cooker but for this recipe, its important not to cook them mushy. So, add about 4 cups water to the 1.5 cups toor dal and soak for an hour. Then, keep on a medium fire to cook for about 20-25 mins. The lentils should be cooked yet stay as individual pods.
2. Heat oil and add the ingredients for tempering. Once the mustard seeds start popping, add the cinnamon, chillies, garlic, jeera and onions. Fry until onions turn transparent.
3. Then add the tomatoes and mix well for another minute. Add the chopped spinach now and lower fire. Let it wilt and reduce in size. Keep stirring till the it mixes well with the rest of the added ingredients.
4. Now add the cooked lentils and combine gently. Bring to boil. Reduce fire and add the coconut milk and salt. You can add some chilli powder if you’d like more heat. Simmer for 5 mins and remove from fire.
Serve spinach dal hot with steamed white rice or roti.
The first picture is just awesome! love the flavors here. esp with the coconut milk.. never quite had dal with coconut milk this way..
I got in without any error today! Yay! 🙂 I make a daal with spinach and coco milk, didn't know it was Sri Lankan! 🙂
Palak with Toor Dal picture is gorgeous.Cant wait to try the recipe..
Shri
After saw the picture started feeling hungry … Picture is so tempting …. Perfect for lunch with some rice …Thanks for sharing dear …
Lovely pics Nags and this sounds so yum…My husband used to travel a lot to SriLanka and always bring these neatly packaged masala packets…You just needed to add them to any dish to get this lovely aroma, all over the house…And coconut milk to this sounds awesome…
will try it out and the pics are just great
Wow! Fantastic ..Awesome Pics ..Looks soo yummy!!
oh lovely! I love SL food much but the spiciness in toooooo much.. esp. in fish items.. 🙂
As soon as I read the title I too thought that you are hooked to Sri Lankar cuisine. The first picture of the spinach is absolutely refreshing.
This looks fantastic, and I'm pretty sure the only way I'll try a Sri Lankan dish any time soon is if I make it myself. I've never heard coconut milk victimized! I'll turn a deaf ear.