Spinach Dal (Keerai Paruppu Kootu)

Today's post is a simple yet yummy Spinach Dal ( a.k.a Keerai Paruppu Kootu ).

A simple spinach dal cooked in a coconut and cumin seed paste and tempered in sesame oil. Sounds interesting and simple isn't it?

Greens (Spinach) in general are good for heart. They:

👉 have abundance of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.

👉 are a great source of Vitamin K, which protects our arteries and promotes proper blood clotting.

Yellow Moong dal helps to lower the blood pressure and protects the body against irregular heart beat. They:

👉 are a good source of protein and dietary fibre.

👉 are low in fat and rich in calcium, B complex vitamins and potassium.

👉 also prevents the deposit of bad cholesterol (LDL) in arteries.

I use Sesame Oil in my cooking extensively. Seame Oil helps to reduce the LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, which play a role in protecting your heart.

So how about a combination of these two heart-healthy super food made into a delicious dal 😅.

Let's get on to the post.

Ingredients:

Palak or any greens 1 bunch

Tur dal 1/2 cup

Moong Dal 1/2 cup

Asafoetida

Turmeric Powder a pinch

Salt to taste

Sesame oil

To grind:

Coconut 1 or 2 tsp

Cumin Seeds 1 tsp

Red Chilli 1

To temper:

Mustard Seeds 1 tsp

Cumin Seeds 1 tsp

Red Chilli 1

Method:

1. Wash the spinach thoroughly.

2. Pressure cook spinach along with tur dal and moong dal (and a pinch of turmeric powder) for 4 whistles.

3. In a mixer jar, grind coconut, cumin seeds and red chilli into a fine paste adding water.

4. Heat oil in a pan. Once hot, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds and red chilli. Once they splutter add it to the cooked spinach dal.

5. Add asafoetida and salt. And bring the dal to a boil.

6. Switch off the flame.