Rajpura-Style Spiced Lentil and Spinach Stew
A hearty vegetarian stew combining red lentils and fresh spinach with warming Indian spices, reminiscent of wholesome Rajpura home cooking. This indian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 40 minutes pairs red lentils (masoor dal), water, roughly chopped spinach leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils (masoor dal)
- 4 cups water
- 3 cups, roughly chopped spinach leaves
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 1 large, diced tomato
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup red lentils under cold water until water runs clear. Combine lentils with 4 cups water in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes until lentils are soft.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add 1 tsp mustard seeds and 1 tsp cumin seeds and sauté for 1 minute until they start to pop and release aroma.
- Step 3: Add 1 finely chopped onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger; cook for 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, and 1 large diced tomato; cook for 4 minutes until tomato breaks down.
- Step 5: Pour the cooked lentils with their cooking water into the pan with the onion-tomato mixture. Stir to combine and simmer gently for 5 minutes.
- Step 6: Add 3 cups roughly chopped spinach leaves and 1 tsp salt; cook for 3 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro for brightness.
- Step 8: Serve hot with steamed rice or flatbread.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rajpura-Style Spiced Lentil and Spinach Stew take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Rajpura-Style Spiced Lentil and Spinach Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep red lentils (masoor dal) from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Rajpura-Style Spiced Lentil and Spinach Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Rajpura-Style Spiced Lentil and Spinach Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Rajpura-Style Spiced Lentil and Spinach Stew?
Indian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
