Palakura pappu (spinach dal)

Ingredients

• ¾ cup toor dal
• 2 cups chopped spinach (palakura)
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• 3–4 green chillies, slit
• Small piece of tamarind, soaked (or 1 tomato extra)
• ¼ tsp turmeric
• Salt to taste
• For tempering: 1 tbsp ghee or oil, 1 tsp mustard seeds, 1 tsp cumin, 2 dried red chillies, 4 crushed garlic cloves, curry leaves, a pinch of hing

Method

1. Pressure-cook the dal with turmeric, onion, tomato and green chillies for 3 whistles.
2. Add the spinach and tamarind water and simmer for 5 minutes until the spinach is soft.
3. Add salt and mash lightly with a wooden masher.
4. Heat ghee, add mustard, cumin, red chillies, garlic, curry leaves and hing, and pour into the dal.
5. Serve with hot rice.