• All Recipes
    • Gluten-Free
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Breakfast
    • Dips, Sauces, & Spreads
    • Entrees
    • Small Bites
    • Sweet Tooth
  • Podcast
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Contact
Menu

The Lish Life

Vegan Recipes & Inspiration.
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Gluten-Free
    • Air Fryer
    • Instant Pot
    • Breakfast
    • Dips, Sauces, & Spreads
    • Entrees
    • Small Bites
    • Sweet Tooth
  • Podcast
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Contact
New Recipes!
vegan hot fudge 1
Apr 9, 2021
3 Ingredient Vegan Hot Fudge
Apr 9, 2021
Read More →
Apr 9, 2021
vegan malai kofta 1
Apr 6, 2021
Vegan Malai Kofta
Apr 6, 2021
Read More →
Apr 6, 2021
vegan tuna salad 1
Apr 5, 2021
Sesame "Tuna" Salad
Apr 5, 2021
Read More →
Apr 5, 2021
air fryer zucchini onion pakoras 1
Apr 1, 2021
Air Fryer Zucchini & Onion Pakoras
Apr 1, 2021
Read More →
Apr 1, 2021
chocolate chip banana bread baked oat muffins
Mar 30, 2021
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Baked Oat Muffins
Mar 30, 2021
Read More →
Mar 30, 2021
french onion toast 1
Mar 30, 2021
French Onion Toast
Mar 30, 2021
Read More →
Mar 30, 2021
vegan chicken over rice 1
Mar 24, 2021
Copycat Halal Guys "Chicken" Over Rice
Mar 24, 2021
Read More →
Mar 24, 2021
vegan crab dip 1
Mar 20, 2021
"Crab" Dip
Mar 20, 2021
Read More →
Mar 20, 2021
mango lassi 1
Mar 17, 2021
Malibu Mylk Mango Lassi
Mar 17, 2021
Read More →
Mar 17, 2021
black forest baked oats 1
Mar 10, 2021
Black Forest Baked Oats
Mar 10, 2021
Read More →
Mar 10, 2021
vegan pimento grilled cheese 1
Mar 5, 2021
Pimento Grilled Cheeze
Mar 5, 2021
Read More →
Mar 5, 2021
peaches and cream baked oatmeal 1
Mar 5, 2021
Peaches and Cream Baked Oats
Mar 5, 2021
Read More →
Mar 5, 2021
vegan mattar paneer 1
Mar 1, 2021
Mattar "Paneer"
Mar 1, 2021
Read More →
Mar 1, 2021
vegan pulled pork_seitan
Feb 25, 2021
Pulled "Pork" (Washed Flour Method)
Feb 25, 2021
Read More →
Feb 25, 2021
cake batter baked oatmeal bites 1
Feb 18, 2021
Cake Batter Baked Oatmeal Bites
Feb 18, 2021
Read More →
Feb 18, 2021
Spinach Tomato Dal 1

Instant Pot Spinach & Tomato Dal

October 9, 2020

When you say ‘lentils’ or ‘lentil soup’, I say ‘dal’! Dal has been a staple in my kitchen for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I used to eat some type of dal at almost every meal (yes, there are several types and each has its own flavor and nutrition profile). So it never really struck me as a comfort food until after I went off to college and could no longer have it twice a day.

Spinach Tomato Dal 2

Eventually, I moved into my own place and bought an Instant Pot so I could cook up a big batch of dal at the start of each week. In fact, dal has become such an essential part of my meal prep routine that it never even struck me to share a recipe with y’all until my mom asked me about it.

Spinach Tomato Dal 3

Like I said before, dal itself is a pretty generic term (kind of like curry). There are hundreds of thousands of ways to prepare dal depending on the actual lentils you use, how you season them, and which veggies (if any) you add. This Spinach & Tomato Dal is one I prepare frequently because it reminds me of my childhood and it’s an easy way to get in some veggies with your meal. So let’s make it!

Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Instant Pot
Entree
Indian
Yield: 6
Author: Alisha Vavilakolanu
Print
Spinach and Tomato Dal (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free)

Spinach and Tomato Dal (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free)

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 25 Min

Ingredients

  • 1 cup toor dal (aka split pigeon peas), rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/4 tsp red chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 cup spinach, tightly packed
  • 3 medium tomatoes (about 2 cups), diced
  • 2 vegetable broth or water (I like to do 1 cup each)
  • neutral oil (canola, grapeseed, vegetable, etc.)
  • salt, to taste

Instructions

  1. Select the Sauté function on your Instant Pot and set the timer for 4 minutes. Heat up some oil and add, cumin, mustard, and diced onions. Sauté the onions for 2 - 3 minutes, or until translucent.
  2. Once the onions are cooked through, cancel the Sauté function. Add crushed red pepper, garam masala, red chili powder, turmeric, spinach, and tomato and mix with a spatula.
  3. Add toor dal and vegetable broth or water to the Pot. Stir well to combine.
  4. Seal the Instant Pot, ensure the pressure valve is turned to 'Sealing' and select the Pressure Cook function. Pressure cook on High for 9 minutes.
  5. After 9 minutes, allow the pressure to naturally release for an additional 5 - 6 minutes. 
  6. Using a dishtowel or oven mitt, carefully turn the pressure valve from 'Sealing' to 'Venting.' Once you see the metal rod click back down, open the Instant Pot and give the dal a stir.
  7. *At this point the lentils should be cooked all the way through and the mixture should be fairly thick and uniform. If you think the dal is undercooked and/or too dry, add more water and repeat step (4) for an additional 3 - 4 minutes.
  8. Serve dal warm over basmati rice or with a side of flatbread.
https://thelishlife.com/blog/instant-pot-spinach-and-tomato-dal
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @lish_life on instagram and hashtag it #thelishlife
Created using The Recipes Generator
In Recipes Tags Entrees, Gluten-Free, Instant Pot, Indian
← Instant Pot Pumpkin DalEpisode 19: Do Politicians Care About Animal Rights? →

Welcome!

Alisha V

I’m Alisha V, and I create simple, delicious plant-based recipes!

I founded The Lish Life in 2017, the same year I went vegan — for the animals, the earth, and myself.

Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or flexitarian, I hope you stick around and get inspired.

Subscribe

Get updates and new recipes delivered right to your inbox!

We respect your privacy.

Thank you!

Air-Fried & Plant-Based
Air-Fried & Plant-Based
$6.00

Air-Fried & Plant-Based is the first ever e-book from vegan blogger Alisha Vavilakolanu (The Lish Life). It features 12 simple and delicious plant-based recipes that you can cook up in your air fryer! You'll learn the basics of air frying with recipes like Aloo Tikki (Crispy Potato Patties), Everything Bagel Jalapeño Poppers, Carrot Cake Cinnamon Rolls, and so many more savory, spicy, and sweet treats.


Check Out My Podcast

MeatBusters Podcast Logo

MeatBusters is a new podcast that debunks meat-eater myths and misconceptions about veganism.

Stream Now

From Instagram

In case you haven’t come to the realization yourself, oats are magical & can transform into whatever you want them to be — milk 🥛, cake 🧁, & even ✨Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Baked Oat Muffins✨ Sounds like a mouthful but these b
I really just stay missing the major food holidays 😭 Apparently, it was #nationalgrilledcheeseday 🧀 earlier this week but if ya ask me, today is just as good a day as any to treat yourself to the ooiest gooiest cheesiest #vegan grilled cheese sandw
Another classic #paneer dish, #veganized! This time I’ve recreated Malai Kofta using only plant-based ingredients! 🌱 Malai Kofta is a South Asian dish consisting of fried potato 🥔 & paneer “meatballs” in a creamy & aromati
If #seaspiracy has you scrambling to swap out sea animal flesh for plant-based alternatives, I’ve got just the recipe for you! 🐟 This vegan ✨Sesame “Tuna” Salad✨ is savory, fishy, & perfect for sandwiches or as a topping/dip fo
French Onion Toast: for when you’re craving French onion soup but can’t be bothered to labor through that entire process. This toast is like the fancy elder cousin of garlic bread & it’s made with just a few simple ingredients (
NEW on the blog is the recipe for these ✨Air Fryer Zucchini & Onion Pakoras✨ I made on @janeunchainednews’ LunchBreakLIVE last week! Pakoras are a favorite snack across many South Asian cuisines & they are naturally plant-based! The tra
Just a lil chia pudding appreciation post for your Sunday! ☺️ This pretty purple pudding owes its color to frozen blueberries 🫐 & its flavor to @traderjoes Blueberry Lavender Almond Beverage 🥛 Have you tried it before? It’s probably my fa
I’m going LIVE today on @janeunchainednews for LunchBreakLIVE! Tune in to their FB livestream at 12:30 PT/3:30 ET to cook with me 👩‍🍳 I’ll be making #vegan, #glutenfree, & chickpea-free air fryer pakoras. 😄 You don’t wann
I was gifted @frommybowl’s new cookbook for my birthday (thanks, @jashuang__ 😄) & I’m stoked to make my way through all of her recipes. The recipes in this book are #vegan, #glutenfree, #oilfree, #refinedsugarfree, & super creati
Follow Me

Connect with me!

In case you haven’t come to the realization yourself, oats are magical & can transform into whatever you want them to be — milk 🥛, cake 🧁, & even ✨Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Baked Oat Muffins✨ Sounds like a mouthful but these b I really just stay missing the major food holidays 😭 Apparently, it was #nationalgrilledcheeseday 🧀 earlier this week but if ya ask me, today is just as good a day as any to treat yourself to the ooiest gooiest cheesiest #vegan grilled cheese sandw Another classic #paneer dish, #veganized! This time I’ve recreated Malai Kofta using only plant-based ingredients! 🌱 Malai Kofta is a South Asian dish consisting of fried potato 🥔 & paneer “meatballs” in a creamy & aromati If #seaspiracy has you scrambling to swap out sea animal flesh for plant-based alternatives, I’ve got just the recipe for you! 🐟 This vegan ✨Sesame “Tuna” Salad✨ is savory, fishy, & perfect for sandwiches or as a topping/dip fo French Onion Toast: for when you’re craving French onion soup but can’t be bothered to labor through that entire process. This toast is like the fancy elder cousin of garlic bread & it’s made with just a few simple ingredients ( NEW on the blog is the recipe for these ✨Air Fryer Zucchini & Onion Pakoras✨ I made on @janeunchainednews’ LunchBreakLIVE last week! Pakoras are a favorite snack across many South Asian cuisines & they are naturally plant-based! The tra
Just a lil chia pudding appreciation post for your Sunday! ☺️ This pretty purple pudding owes its color to frozen blueberries 🫐 & its flavor to @traderjoes Blueberry Lavender Almond Beverage 🥛 Have you tried it before? It’s probably my fa I’m going LIVE today on @janeunchainednews for LunchBreakLIVE! Tune in to their FB livestream at 12:30 PT/3:30 ET to cook with me 👩‍🍳 I’ll be making #vegan, #glutenfree, & chickpea-free air fryer pakoras. 😄 You don’t wann I was gifted @frommybowl’s new cookbook for my birthday (thanks, @jashuang__ 😄) & I’m stoked to make my way through all of her recipes. The recipes in this book are #vegan, #glutenfree, #oilfree, #refinedsugarfree, & super creati 24 today 🌞 featuring some of the food I made & ate on my birthday weekend! Recipes coming soon but for today, I’m going to relax & celebrate with a few of my favorite people🤍
.
dEATS
✨ cherry blossom cupcake 🧁 from @stickyfingersdc
✨ NEW on the blog today! ✨Copycat Halal Guys “Chicken” Over Rice✨ This was a food truck favorite of mine before I went vegan & now I’ve created a version of the dish that is *just* as delicious but 100% plant-based — no dead ✨NEW✨ on the blog: this Vegan Crab Dip! 🦀 The base is made with cashew cream, vegan mayo, & seaweed for saltiness & flavor. It’s perfect cold or hot & great in sandwiches 🥪, on crackers, or even by the spoonful! 😉 But before you Ever heard of Mango Lassi? It’s a popular South Asian drink traditionally made with mango 🥭 & buttermilk. I used to loooove mango lassi as a kid but I haven’t made one since going vegan... until now! By replacing buttermilk with vega Oh, what could this be? Another baked oats recipe from the girl who didn’t even have oats in her pantry til last month? Yuuuuuup. What can I say, I’m obsessed! And you will be too once you get a taste of ✨Black Forest Baked Oats✨! The rec

Powered by Squarespace