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.
So glad you liked it Anon 🙂
Cooked it and loved it. Thank you 🙂
Just made this recipe. Couldn't find some ingredients and mom didn't want seeds because of her teeth (used some powdered spices instead of seeds and leaves) and it is delish! Thanks for a great recipe! Can't wait to try others.
So glad you liked it Anon 🙂
Hello Nags – This is my first visit to your site as I was searching for Palak recipes. Being a Indian with strong roots in Srilanka I was impressed by your palak dal:-) Well Srilankans use dal and coconut as major ingredients. Staying at SFO I am more inclined towards Organic Healty food. I substitute the coconut milk with powdered almond powder or skimmed milk.
Sharai – so good to hear from you! I am glad you found the Sri Lankan Recipes interesting 🙂 Do share if you have any traditional recipes from your parents. You can email me!
hello Ska, glad you like my recipes 🙂 Unfortunately, I don't cook non vegetarian recipes anymore because I am married to a vegetarian. I do have some in my archives which I tried before my wedding. I will try my best to add some more but no promises.. sorry again!
This is the second recipe i made from this site. I quiet like your cooking style. Its easy, simple, fast to cook & delicious. Can you please post more of non-vegeterian recipes/Fish.
Thank you
I just made this today. I did not have mustard seeds but used regular mustard. (i am sure it would have been even yummier)
This was DELICIOUS! Thanks for sharing. I stumbled across this from a google search, since I had some Toor Dal that I needed to use. I will be a regular here.
I have to make some of this soon.