Dal With Spinach and Yoghurt

currybunny's Note:

I completely love this dal - it is so flavoursome and creamy and delicious! It's also my husband's favourite at the moment, so while the recipe makes a good amount, it tends to vanish quite quickly... I use channa dal to make this - feel free to use your dal of choice, but you would need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 290 g channa dal
• 830 ml vegetable stock
• 6 g salt
• 1 g turmeric
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• 300 g spinach , washed and chopped
• 30 g ghee
• 1 onion , chopped
• ½ teaspoon curry powder
• 2 g cumin seeds
• 4 g mustard seeds
• 2 g garam masala
• ¾ cup plain yogurt

Directions:

1. Rinse lentils and soak for 20 mins or so.
2. In a large saucepan, bring stock to a boil and stir in salt, lentils, turmeric and chili powder. Cover and return to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Stir in the spinach and cook for 5 minutes uncovered, or until lentils are soft (time will depend on type of lentils used).
3. Use a potato masher or a fork to mash the dal to get your desired consistancy; simmer for another few minutes to thicken up.
4. While lentils are cooking, heat ghee and cook onion with curry powder, cumin and mustard seeds over very low head til caramelized – around 20 minutes. Combine with lentils, stir in garam masala and yoghurt.

Reviews

[CurbeyGerl]

This is the only meal I've ever been able to satisfy my husband without meat! Don't let the funky measurements stop you from trying this fantastic dal. I used 2 c. lentils, 900ml (1 carton) chicken broth, used about 1/5 tsp. per gram of spices, a whole bunch of spinach (it cooks way down), and about 1 tsp each olive oil and butter in place of the ghee. I loved the idea of adding yogurt but when it came to game time I got chicken and only added 1/2 cup- no need to be scared though, it was fantastic! Served with homemade chapati and there were hardly any leftovers!

[Karen Elizabeth]

I didn't review this! I'm so sorry, I made it some time ago for friends, it was very much enjoyed and I would make it again happily! I used mostly channa dal, but didn't have quite enough, so made up the balance (about 100gr) with red lentils. I used 'fresh' frozen spinach, I tend to buy lots, clean it, chop it up and freeze it. I also guesstimated the small gram amounts, in the same fashion as Peggy, previous poster. I forgot the yoghurt ... sorry! but it was delicious, not too hot, those who prefer it spicy might want to up the spices. Thanks, BeckD!

[Leggy Peggy]

Love, love, love this dal. The flavour is sensational. It's amazing any made it to the dinner table because I kept stealing it out of the saucepan as it cooked. Used red lentils and about 1/2 the amount of spinach (all I had on hand). The mix of measurements was a bit confusing. I doubt that many people have scales that weigh in single grams. I treated 1 gram as a scant 1/4 teaspoon, and followed suit for other amounts. Served and thoroughly enjoyed as part of a curry feast.