Spinach Fry & Tomato Dal

I missed Veganmofo over the weekend, so I thought I will post 2 very simple recipes to make up for it. These two dishes are actually too simple and easy and they don’t need a recipe, but I’ll give them anyway. :-)

First up is Spinach fry or sautéed spinach. I sometimes add soaked moong dal to make it even more nutritious.

Ingredients:
Spinach – ½ lb (about 4-5 cups), washed and chopped
Onion – 1 large, chopped
Green chilies – 3, sliced longitudinally

For tadka:
Urad dal – ½ tsp
Cumin seeds – 1tsp
Mustard seeds – 1tsp
Dry red chili – 1
Turmeric – pinch
Garlic – 2 cloves, minced
Salt – to taste

Method:

• Heat 2tsp oil in a large sauté pan; add urad dal, cumin & mustard seeds & red chili; once the seeds start to splutter add garlic and sauté till golden brown and fragrant. Make sure not to burn garlic.
• Add onions, green chilies, turmeric and sauté till onions are lightly browned. Next add spinach; cover and cook till cooked thoroughly, about 6-8 minutes.
• Add salt; cook uncovered on medium-high heat till most of the water evaporates. Serve with rice or roti.

Tomato Dal:
Moong dal – ½ cup
Red Masoor dal – ½ cup
Tomato – 2 medium, chopped
Green chilies – 2, chopped
Tamarind paste – 1tbsp

For tadka –
Mustard & Cumin seeds – 1tsp each
Red chili – 2
Asafetida – pinch
Turmeric – pinch
Salt – to taste

Method:

• Cook both dals with tomato, green chilies & enough water in a pressure cooker until thoroughly cooked (takes about 4-5 whistles in my cooker).
• In a small saucepan, heat 1tsp oil and add the tadka ingredients; once the seeds start to splutter, add the tadka to the cooked dal along with tamarind paste, turmeric, salt and 1 cup water. Simmer the mixture for another 7-8 minutes. Serve with steamed rice or roti.

I served my dishes with DK’s Sweet Potato rotis. I microwave peeled & cubed sweet potatoes with some water, drain and mash into pulp and mix the pulp with the atta (whole wheat flour) & just a little bit of salt. These are my all-time favorite rotis and I make them as often as possible. Try them, you wont be disappointed.