Dry roast the dal for couple of minutes or until a nice aroma comes. Need not change color.
Add water and soak for about 10 minutes.
Drain the water and add about 2 cups of water and bring to boil.
Add turmeric powder and salt.
Once it starts boiling, reduce heat to medium low and keep stirring once in a while. Always be near and keep an eye on it as it has a tendency to boil over.
Cook until soft but not mushy. Strain the water and set aside.
In the meanwhile, pulse the coconut, ginger and green chilly. They need to get crushed. Do not add water.
Heat a Kadai with oil, temper with mustard seeds, red chilly.