Palak keerai masiyal | Palak keerai kadayal | Moong dal palak South Indian recipe


Palak keerai masiyal | Palak keerai kadayal | Moong dal palak South Indian recipe


Palak keerai masiyal recipe| Palak keerai kadayal | South Indian Moong dal palak recipe | Spinach dal recipe with detailed step-by-step photos.

Moong dal palak is a lentil and spinach-based gravy. It is a protein-rich dish made with boiled yellow lentils, spinach, onion, ginger, and garlic, along with seasoned Indian spices.

Paruppu keerai masiyal is a healthy and nutritious side dish that pairs well with rice, roti, poori, and chapati. Palak means spinach and dal/dhal means lentils in Hindi.

Moong dal is an essential ingredient in Indian cooking. It is a vital source of protein for vegetarians. Yellow lentils are also called moong dal in Hindi, Pasi paruppu/payatham paruppu in Tamil, hesaru bele in Kannada, and cheruparipu in Malayalam. It is a very popular lentil variety in India. You can make several recipes using these lentils.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry

Palak Dal is super easy to prepare and requires basic ingredients that are already available in your kitchen. It is a vegan recipe and diabetic-friendly too. It is quite light on the stomach and easy to digest. Dal palak is a nourishing recipe and a perfect dish for kids and diet watchers. You can also make this recipe with no onion and no garlic as well.

Apart from moong dal, keerai masiyal can be made with Toor dal, masoor dal, and channa dal as well. Moong dal is a versatile lentil that many recipes can be prepared with.

This palak keerai masiyal has a creamy and buttery texture. It gives a soft and smooth consistency when dal and spinach are cooked together. You can even cook this in an Instant Pot. But, I prefer a pressure cooker for this recipe which is easy and also a fast way of cooking.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry

Spinach dal is our family's favorite side dish. I often make this recipe and love to have it with hot steamed basmati rice along with carrot beans stir fry or carrot stir fry. Plus, I love to add a dash of melted ghee on top which makes the entire meal aromatic, and wholesome.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry

Recipe - Palak keerai masiyal | Palak keerai kadayal | Moong Dal Palak south Indian recipe.


Serves - 4 
Cuisine - Indian.
Region - South Indian.
Course - Main | Side dish.
Prep time - 5 min | Cook time - 25 min | Total time - 30 min.
Diet - Vegetarian & Vegan. 
Author - Pavithra.

Spinach Moong Dal palak Ingredients:


Moong dal - 1/4 cup
Spinach - 1 cup tightly packed
Red onion - 1 medium
Tomato - 1 (optional)
Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
Red chili powder - 1/2 tsp optional
Coriander powder - 1/2 tsp optional
Salt - 1 tsp / As per taste.
Water - 100 ml.

To temper:

Oil - 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
Red chili - 1 optional
Ginger - 1 tsp 
Garlic - 1 tsp
Asafoetida/Hing - A pinch

How to make dal palak:


1. Wash and rinse lentils twice or thrice in water. Then, pressure-cook the moong dal along with water, a pinch of turmeric, and a drop of oil for 15 mins. 
2. Take a pan and pour a tbsp of oil and keep it on medium heat.
3. Add a tsp of cumin seeds, red chili, and hing. Fry for a minute.
4. Then, add chopped onion and crushed ginger & garlic. 
5. Add the required salt and saute until the onion turns translucent.
6. Now add chopped tomatoes and saute until it turns mushy.
7. Then, add red chili and coriander powder for the spice. 
8. Saute and then add chopped spinach. 
9. Saute until it reduces in size.
10. Mash dal and add the cooked dal along with dal water. 
11. Mix and let it cook for a few minutes.
12. Pour water as per your required consistency. 
13. Let it boil for 5 to 10 mins. 
14. Switch off the flame once it reaches the semi-thick consistency.

Dal palak/spinach dal is ready to be served with rice and roti.

How to prepare palak dal with stepwise photos:


1. Wash and rinse lentils twice or thrice in water. Then, pressure-cook the moong dal along with water, turmeric, and a drop of oil for 15 mins.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


2. Take a pan and pour a tbsp of oil and keep it on medium heat.

3. Add a tsp of cumin seeds, red chili, hing. Fry for a minute.

4. Then, add crushed ginger & garlic. Saute well.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


5. Add chopped onion and salt. Saute until the onion turns translucent.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


7. Saute and then add chopped spinach.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


8. Then, add red chili and coriander powder for the spice.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


9. Saute until it reduces in size.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


10. Mash dal and add the cooked dal along with dal water.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


11. Mix and let it cook for a few minutes.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


12. Pour water as per the required consistency.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


13. Let it boil for 5 mins.

14. Switch off the flame once it reaches the semi-thick consistency.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


Dal palak/spinach dal is ready to be served with rice and roti.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


Spinach health benefits:


1. Spinach is high in fiber.
2. It is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. 
3. Rich in Iron, manganese, and calcium. 
4. It reduces blood pressure levels and oxidative stress.
5. It strengthens bones.
6. It improves digestion.
7. High in antioxidants.
8. It strengthens the immune system.
9. Spinach is a low-calorie vegetable.
10. It is rich in vitamins and minerals.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


Health Benefits of  Yellow Moong Dal:


1. Yellow moong dal is a plant-based food that is high in protein.
2. It is low in fat and calorie.
3. Rich in vitamins and minerals.
4. Easily digestible.
5. It promotes hair growth.
6. Removes facial hair and suntan. Treats acne.
7. It prevents constipation.
8. It is high in potassium and calcium.
9. It reduces inflammation.
10. Low Glycemic Index.


Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry


Do try this moong dal palak or spinach dal recipe and let me know how it turns up. Express your thoughts in the comment section below, can't wait to hear from you:)

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Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak Dal Curry

Learn how to make Moong Dal Palak Recipe | Spinach Dal | Palak dal with step by step images.