Palak Dal ( Spinach Dal)

Ingredients:

Toor Dal - 1 cup
Spinach -  1 and 1/2 cup (chopped)Tamarind - 1 small lemon size
Green chillies - 2 or 3 ( as per taste)
Salt - as per taste
Red Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/2 tsp

For tempering:
Oil - 1 tbsp
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Dried Red chillies - 1 (broken into pieces)
Garlic - 2 cloves (optional)
Asafoetida - 1/2 tsp
Curry leaves - 8 to 10

Procedure:

1. Pressure cook the dal with enough quantity of water along with green chillies and spinach. (or) In a pan take dal and water. When the dal is just about the verge of being done add spinach. Then add green chillies and continue cooking for another 10 min.
2. After the dal is cooked put that on the stove and add salt, chilli powder, turmeric and tamarind and continue to cook for about 5 to 7 min.
3. Mean while in a small pan take oil for tempering. Once the oil is hot enough add mustard seeds, once they start to splutter add dried red chillies, garlic (optional) and asafoetida. Fry till the garlic turns little brown. Add the curry leaves.
4. Add this tempering to the dal. Serve with rice or roti.


Hint: If you want to add garlic, take 5 to 6 pcs of garlic fry in little amount of oil and add to the dal after the tempering.