Indian Lentils and Spinach

Indian lentils with spinach are nicely spiced with cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cinnamon for a flavorful and hearty side dish.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 129 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach
• 1 cup lentils
• 1 white onion, halved and sliced into 1/2-inch rings
• 0.25 cup water
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 cup water
• 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
• 0.125 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cloves
• 0.25 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1.5 teaspoons ground coriander

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat oil in a heavy pan over medium heat. Cook and stir onion in the hot oil until beginning to turn golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add minced garlic to onion; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute more.

Step 2

Mix chicken broth, lentils, 1/2 cup water, crushed garlic, coriander, salt, cumin, chili powder, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cinnamon, cloves, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf into onion mixture; bring to a boil. Cover pan, lower heat to medium-low, and simmer until lentils are soft, about 35 minutes.

Step 3

Place spinach in a microwave-safe bowl and add 1/4 cup water; heat in microwave for 5 minutes. Stir spinach and continue cooking in microwave until heated through, about 5 minutes more. Let spinach cool, about 5 minutes; drain water and squeeze excess water from spinach.

Step 4

Mix spinach into lentils; cover pan and simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes.