Palak Dal for My Hubby’s Lunchbox – A Wholesome Meal With Love 💛🥬

Name: Palak Dal for My Hubby’s Lunchbox – A Wholesome Meal With Love 💛🥬
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: ½ cup toor dal (pigeon peas) (or moong dal/masoor dal); 1.5 cups water; 1 cup chopped spinach (palak); 1 tomato, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 green chili, slit (optional); ½ tsp turmeric powder; ½ tsp red chili powder; Salt to taste; 1 tbsp ghee or oil or butter; 1/4 tsp mustard seeds; 1/4 tsp cumin seeds; Half Onion finely chopped; 1/2 tsp finely chopped garlic; 1/4 tsp finely chopped ginger; 1 dry red chili; 1/4 tsp Kasturi Methi; A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

by Manisha Mishra

4 Servings

15 min

Packing lunch for my husband every day is a small yet meaningful way to show love and care. One of the most comforting and nutritious dishes I often prepare for his lunchbox is Palak Dal—a simple, protein-rich lentil dish infused with the goodness of spinach. It’s hearty, packed with essential nutrients, and pairs beautifully with rice or rotis, making it a wholesome and satisfying meal for a busy workday.

Palak Dal is not just delicious but also nutrient-dense. Lentils provide plant-based protein and fiber, keeping energy levels steady throughout the day, while spinach is a powerhouse of iron, vitamins, and antioxidants that support immunity and overall health. Plus, it’s easy to digest, making it perfect for a light yet fulfilling lunch.

palak dal for my hubbys lunchbox a wholesome meal with love

I always ensure the dal stays fresh and warm by packing it in a stainless steel thermos. To keep things balanced, I add a small portion of brown rice or phulka, a side of simple cucumber raita, and a few crunchy papads or roasted peanuts for texture.

Cooking for my husband is more than just meal prep—it’s an act of love. I believe a well-packed lunch brings warmth and energy to a long workday. The comforting aroma of garlic-infused ghee tadka and the earthy flavour of lentils make Palak Dal a favorite in his lunchbox.

Try this flavorful and nutritious Palak Dal for a comforting, homemade meal! 🥣💛 Packed with protein-rich lentils and iron-loaded spinach, this dish is wholesome, easy to make, and perfect with rice or rotis. The aromatic ghee tadkawith mustard seeds, cumin, and garlic takes it to the next level! Whether for lunch, dinner, or a lunchbox treat, this dal is sure to be a family favorite. Give this recipe a try and let me know how it turned out—I’d love to hear your feedback! 😊

Palak Dal for My Hubby’s Lunchbox – A Wholesome Meal With Love 💛🥬

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Recipe details

Yield 4 Servings
Time spent: Prep time: 5 Minutes Cook time: 10 Minutes Total time: 15 min

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Ingredients

For Palak Dal

½ cup toor dal (pigeon peas) (or moong dal/masoor dal)
1.5 cups water
1 cup chopped spinach (palak)
1 tomato, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green chili, slit (optional)
½ tsp turmeric powder
½ tsp red chili powder
Salt to taste

For Tempering (Tadka):

1 tbsp ghee or oil or butter
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp cumin seeds
Half Onion finely chopped
1/2 tsp finely chopped garlic
1/4 tsp finely chopped ginger
1 dry red chili
1/4 tsp Kasturi Methi
A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

Instructions

Wash the dal and pressure cook it with turmeric, water, tomato, green chilies and garlic for 3-4 whistles (or boil until soft). Mash slightly.
Stir in chopped spinach and let it simmer for 5 minutes until wilted. Add salt and red chilli powder.
Heat ghee or butter in a pan, add mustard seeds, cumin, chopped onion, chopped ginger, chopped garlic, dry red chilli, Kasturi Methi, and hing. Sauté until aromatic.
Pour the tadka over the dal, mix well, and serve hot with rice or roti!

Tips

Toor dal (pigeon peas) gives a creamy texture, while moong dal or masoor dal makes it lighter. You can also mix dals for a richer taste.
Spinach often has dirt, so rinse it thoroughly in water before chopping to avoid any grit in your dal.
Pressure cook the dal for 3-4 whistles or boil until completely soft for a smooth consistency.
A ghee-based tadka with garlic, ginger, cumin, mustard seeds, and kasturi methi enhances flavour.

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Palak Dal for My Hubby’s Lunchbox – A Wholesome Meal With Love 💛🥬

Palak Dal for My Hubby’s Lunchbox – A Wholesome Meal With Love 💛🥬

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For Tempering (Tadka):

Instructions

Tips

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For Tempering (Tadka):

Instructions

Tips

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