Palakura Pappu / Spinach Dal

Ingredients :

• Spinach/Palakura - 2 Cups
• Toor Dal/Kandi Pappu- 1Cup
• Urad Dal - 2 tsps
• Chana Dal - 1/2 tsp
• Mustard Seeds - 1 tsp
• Cumin Seeds - 1 tsp
• Turmeric Powder - 1/8 tsp
• Red Chili Powder - 1 tsp
• Salt to Taste
• Red Chillies - 3 to 4 No's
• Asafoetida/Hing - 1/8 tsp
• Tamarind - Small Gooseberry Size
• Oil - 4 tsps

Preparation :

1. Take Toor dal in a bowl and wash it. 
2. Chop the spinach roughly and wash it. Add it to the dal and add 2 cups of water and place this bowl in a pressure cooker and cook for 3 whistles. Remove the dal bowl from the cooker after it cools down. 
3. Soak the Tamarind in a cup of warm water and extract the pulp.
4. Take the cooked dal in a pan and add the tamarind extract, salt, turmeric and cook till the raw smell of tamarind disappears.
5. Heat a pan and add oil to it. When oil is hot add urad dal,chana dal,mustard seeds and cumin seeds and fry till they splutter. Add red chilles and asafoetida and mix well. Add this seasoning to the cooked spinach dal. 
6. Mix well and add water and red chillie powder if required. Cover and cook on medium flame for 5 minutes. 
7. Serve hot with plain rice and any pickle.