Toor Dal and Spinach (Toor Palak Dal)

I used to make this simple but colorful and exotic dal curry every few weeks years ago when my repertoire of vegetarian recipes was far more limited than now. But I never minded. The creamy combination of warm, sweet and nutty toor dal cooked with tangy tomatoes, tart lemon juice and earthy spinach greens is as delicious as it is simple. Served over a bed of fresh hot cooked rice, or with some flatbreads, it is an easy and wonderful meal for any season.

I discovered a new craving for this tried and true dish recently, and decided to revisit it again. I found that it is just as delicious as ever. I guarantee that it will warm your spirits and earn the esteem of anyone you serve it to.

Toor dal — also known as toovar dal or split pigeon peas — has a mild sweet, earthy and nutty taste that goes very well with tart or tangy spicings, which is why it is a staple in south Indian kitchens. It also has a fuller texture when cooked than many other dals, making it perfect for sambars and dry-textured curries like this one. It is always easily found in any Indian or Asian grocer, and I always have a good supply on hand. You may substitute yellow split peas with lovely results as well.

Toor Dal and Spinach (Toor Palak Dal)

Recipe by Lisa Turner Adapted from Lord Krishna's Cuisine: The Art of Indian Vegetarian Cooking Cuisine: Indian Published on June 17, 2013 Zesty and tangy, this colorful dry-textured toor dal curry with chopped spinach is nourishing, delicious and simple to make Print this recipe Ingredients: 1 cup toor dal or yellow split peas 2 tablespoons ghee or oil 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds 1/4 teaspoon asafetida 1 large tomato, cut into 8 or 12 thin wedges 2 to 3 green chilies, seeded and chopped 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon turmeric 1/4 teaspoon cayenne 1 bunch fresh spinach, trimmed and chopped juice of 1 lemon (3 tablespoons) 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste 1/2 teaspoon garam masala small handful of fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped Instructions: Rinse the toor dal or split peas and soak in several inches of warm water for 3 to 5 hours. Drain and rinse, then transfer to a large saucepan or wok and cover with 1 1/2 cups of fresh water. Add 1 tablespoon of the ghee or oil and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes or until the dal or split peas are tender but not falling apart. Drain and set aside. Wipe the saucepan or wok clean and add the remaining ghee or oil. Heat over medium heat. When hot, toss in the cumin seeds and fry for 1 to 2 minutes or until the cumin seeds turn brown. Toss in the asafetida, stir once, then immediately add the tomato, chilies, ground coriander, turmeric and cayenne. Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the spinach, cover, and cook for another 5 minutes. Pour in the dal or split peas, lower the heat to medium-low, and add the lemon juice, salt and garam masala. Cook for a few minutes longer until the mixture is fairly dry. Serve immediately, garnished with the chopped parsley or cilantro. Makes 4 to 6 servings

Also recommended from Lisa's Kitchen:
Tarka Dal
Toor Dal Soup
Toor Dal Pumpkin Soup
Toor Dal and Green Bean Poriyal

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Mung Dal Kitcheree

A kitcheree is a traditional dish originating in North India that consists of legumes and rice and often vegetables. For those who enjoy Indian creations, this is a one-pot meal that won't take you long at all to prepare. Split mung beans are an especially easy legume to digest, making this a nourishing and restorative meal. I've always enjoyed the distinctive sweet and earthy aroma and flavor that these little gems impart to a dish. Here they are all nestled in with rice after simmered together with some spices and coconut milk.

To fill out the meal, serve with a vegetable side and some Indian savory flatbreads. I served it with butter paneer masala and a spicy potato and green bean salad.

Mung Dal Kitcheree

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Indian Published on May 24, 2013 Simple, nourishing and delicious one-pot meal of sweet split mung beans and buttery rice with coconut milk and gentle Indian seasonings Print this recipe Ingredients: 1 cup split mung beans (mung dal) 1 cup basmati rice 1/4 cup ghee, unsalted butter or sesame oil 4 to 5 whole cloves 1 teaspoon turmeric 1/4 teaspoon asafetida 1 cup coconut milk 3 cups hot water 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste juice from 1 lemon (3 tablespoons) fresh cracked black pepper Instructions: Rinse the mung dal and rice under cold running water in a strainer. Heat the ghee, butter or oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the dal, rice and cloves to the pan and gently for 2 to 3 minutes. Now add the turmeric and asafetida and stir in the coconut milk and water. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium-low and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the lentils are tender. Quickly stir in the lemon juice, salt and pepper and let sit for 5 minutes, covered. Fluff with a fork, discard the cloves, and serve hot. Makes 4 to 6 servings

Other mung bean dishes you are sure to enjoy from my vegetarian kitchen:
Mung Bean Paneer
Mung Tamarind Dal
Indian Sour Mung Bean Soup
Indian Style Spicy Mung Beans (Moong Dal)

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Mixed Lentil and Rice Indian Pancakes

Adored is an understatement for me when it comes to Indian savory pancakes. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, snack or dinner accompaniment pretty much covers the range of my favorite ways to serve up delights like these soft and fragrant Indian-spiced griddle-fried flatbreads. Very easy to make too, though they do take a bit of time to cook up, one by one. It's more than worth it, though, and if you have breads leftover, they store well in the refrigerator for a few days and can be reheated in foil with most satisfying results. I served them up with a chickpea curry and a chunky cashew-tamarind chutney. Lots of legume goodness in that meal.

Mixed Lentil and Rice Indian Pancakes

Recipe by Lisa Turner Cuisine: Indian Published on April 8, 2013 Soft, savory and fragrant Indian-spiced pancakes made from mixed dals and rice — flourless and gluten-free, they're perfect for rolling up with a dal or vegetable curry or serving with your favorite chutney Print this recipe Ingredients: 1 cup toor dal 1/2 cup chana dal 1/2 cup split urad dal with skins 1/2 cup split mung dal 1/2 cup basmati rice 4 to 6 dried whole red chilies, broken into pieces   2 to 3 cups warm water 2 to 4 fresh green or red chilies, seeded and finely chopped a few handfuls of dried curry leaves, crumbled 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chili or Kashmiri chili powder 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin a few pinches of asafetida pinch of cayenne 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt oil for frying Instructions: Thoroughly rinse the dals and rice. Soak in 6 cups of water overnight with the dried red chilies. Drain and rinse. Process in a blender in batches, adding about 2 cups of the dal and rice mixture and 1/2 cup of warm water each time. Transfer each processed batch to a large bowl. Stir in the fresh chilies, curry leaves, chili powder, cumin, asafetida, cayenne and salt. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for an hour or two, or refrigerate for up to a few days and cook up the pancakes as needed. Whisk in more water as needed to achieve a fairly thick but pourable consistency. Brush a non-stick skillet with a little oil and heat over medium heat. When hot, scoop 1/3 cup of the batter into the pan and quickly spread into a 6- to 8-inch circle. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until small bubbles begin to form and the bottom is lightly browned. Flip and cook for another few minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep the cooked pancakes wrapped in foil. Brush the pan with more oil as needed and repeat with the remaining pancakes. Makes 12 to 15 pancakes

More Indian savory breads you are sure to enjoy from my kitchen:
Besan Roti
Fenugreek Roti
Chickpea Flour Crêpes

On the top of the reading stack: Everyday Raw Express: Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less by Matthew Kenney

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