Spinach with split green dal

Ingredients:

1 cup split green peas (moong dal)
1 bunch chopped fresh spinach or
1 cup frozen 2 medium tomatoes chopped medium
5 to 6 green chilies chopped into 3 pieces each or slit lengthwise
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 teaspoons salt or to taste
Optional: 2 tablespoons fresh grated coconut
1/4 teaspoon black mustard seeds
1 tablespoon oil or clarified butter
A spring of cilantro finely chopped
4 to 5 curry leaves chopped, fresh or dry

Method:

Cook the split green peas in about 3 cups of water till it is 3/4 cooked. It should mush easily with the back of a spoon. This should take about 15 min. Now add the turmeric powder, salt, chopped spinach, tomato, green chilies and cook further till the split green peas is completely cooked, the spinach and the tomato is cooked and the whole dish comes together as a thick gravy. Remove from heat and serve. Optional Steps: Add the fresh grated coconut and cilantro. Heat the oil or clarified butter and add the mustard seeds and the curry leaves. When the mustard seeds start to pop turn off the heat and pour this over the cooked spinach and peas mix and mix in well and serve.