Palakura Pappu | Palak Dal | Spinach Stew

Palakura Pappu, also known as Palak Dal or Spinach Stew, is a traditional South Indian dish that combines the nutritional benefits of spinach and lentils. Rich in fiber, iron, and protein, this hearty stew is not only healthy but also incredibly flavorful. It pairs wonderfully with steamed rice, pulka, roti, or chapati, making it a versatile addition to any meal. In this article, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process of preparing this delicious and nutritious dish.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Course: Main
Serves: 2-3
Main ingredient: Spinach
Measurement bowl size: 250 ml

Quick Navigation:

• Ingredients
• Procedure
• Step 1: Clean and Soak the Spinach
• Step 2: Chop the Spinach
• Step 3: Prepare the Lentils
• Step 4: Add Spinach, Onions, and Green Chillies
• Step 5: Pressure Cook the Mixture
• Step 6: Add Spices and Tamarind
• Step 7: Simmer the Stew
• Step 8: Prepare the Tempering (Talimpu)
• Step 9: Add Tempering to the Stew
• Step 10: Serve
• Conclusion

Ingredients

Spinach (Palakura, Palak): Approximately 3 bowls full or 250 grams

Yellow pigeon peas (Toor Dal, Kandipappu): 1/2 bowl

Onion (Ullipaya): 1/4 bowl
Green chillies (Pachimirapa): 2 or 3

For Tempering (Talimpu):

• Dry red chilli (Endumirapa): 1
• Garlic (Vellulli): 1 or 2 cloves
• Mustard seeds (Aavalu): 1/2 tablespoon
• Cumin seeds (Jeelakarra): 1 tablespoon
• Asafoetida (Hing, Inguva): a pinch
• Curry leaves (Karivepaku): Few

Red chilli powder (Kaaram): 1 tablespoon

Salt: To taste

Tamarind paste (Chintapandu Gujju): 1 tablespoon
or
Soaked tamarind (lemon size) water

Turmeric powder (Pasupu): 1/2 tablespoon

Clarified butter (Ghee, Neyyi): 2 tablespoons

Procedure

Step 1: Clean and Soak the Spinach

Clean and wash the spinach leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt or impurities. Soak the spinach in a bowl of water with a little salt added for about 15 minutes. This helps to eliminate any remaining dirt and pesticides.

Step 2: Chop the Spinach

After soaking, drain the water and chop the spinach into small pieces.

Step 3: Prepare the Lentils

Wash 1/2 bowl of yellow pigeon peas (toor dal) thoroughly and add them to a pressure cooker with 1 bowl of water.

Note: You can use 1 bowl of toor dal instead of 1/2 bowl if you prefer a thicker dal. Since I prefer more spinach in my stew, I use more spinach and less toor dal.

Step 4: Add Spinach, Onions, and Green Chillies

Add the chopped spinach, chopped onions, and green chillies to the pressure cooker with the lentils.

Step 5: Pressure Cook the Mixture

Close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook the mixture for up to 3 whistles on high flame, then reduce to low flame and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 6: Add Spices and Tamarind

Once the pressure releases, open the lid carefully. Add 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric powder, 1 tablespoon of red chilli powder, salt to taste (approximately 1 tablespoon), and 1 tablespoon of tamarind paste or soaked tamarind water.

Step 7: Simmer the Stew

Add 1/2 bowl of water to adjust the consistency and mix thoroughly. Let the stew simmer on medium flame for 5-10 minutes until it reaches the desired thickness.

Turn off the flame when the stew reaches your preferred consistency.

Step 8: Prepare the Tempering (Talimpu)

In a small pan, heat 2 tablespoons of ghee over low flame. Add the following spices one by one:

• 1 dry red chilli, broken into pieces
• 1 or 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1/2 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• A few curry leaves

When the mustard seeds start to crackle and the curry leaves become crisp, turn off the flame. Your tempering is ready.

Step 9: Add Tempering to the Stew

Pour the prepared tempering over the spinach stew and mix well.

Step 10: Serve

Your delicious Palakura Pappu is now ready to be served. Enjoy it hot with pulka, roti, chapati, plain white rice, or brown rice.

Conclusion

Palakura Pappu is a wholesome and nourishing dish that brings together the earthy flavors of spinach and the creamy texture of lentils. It's a staple in many South Indian households and is loved for its simplicity and health benefits. This spinach stew is not only easy to prepare but also makes for a comforting meal when paired with rice or flatbreads. We hope this recipe helps you bring the authentic taste of Palakura Pappu to your kitchen. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious stew with your family and friends!