In a pressure cooker, place dal, palak leaves, onions, tomatoes, tamarind paste, green chillies, ginger, and turmeric powder. Add 1 1/2 to 2 cups of water and pressure cook up to 2 whistles. If cooking over the stove top in a pot, cook till the dal is almost cooked.

Heat oil in a frying, add mustards seeds and as they jump around, add cumin seeds, urad dal, garlic, red chillis and curry leaves and stir fry for half a minute.

Add this to the cooked dal along with salt and combine. Cook on slow to medium flame for 5-7 mts without lid or till you get the consistency of your choice.

Serve hot with steamed rice, a dollop of ghee and pappadam.