Rinse the toor dal thoroughly under running water to remove any dust or impurities. Soak the dal in water for about 10 minutes before cooking to reduce cooking time.
Soaking the dal helps in cooking it faster and making it softer.
Peel and chop the carrot and plantain into bite-sized pieces. Cut the broccoli into florets. Set all the vegetables aside.
Make sure to chop the vegetables into uniform sizes so that they cook evenly.
In a large pot, add the soaked toor dal along with about 500 ml of water. Bring it to a boil and then simmer until the dal becomes soft and fully cooked, around 15-20 minutes.
Stir the dal occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
While the dal is cooking, heat oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Let them splutter before adding the curry leaves.
Let the mustard seeds splutter fully to release their flavor into the oil.
Add the chopped vegetables (carrot, plantain, and broccoli) to the pan. Stir for 3-4 minutes, allowing the vegetables to slightly cook while absorbing the spices.
Use medium heat to prevent the spices from burning while allowing the vegetables to cook through.
Add the cooked dal to the pan with the vegetables. Stir in the turmeric powder, chili powder, tamarind paste, and salt. Pour in the coconut milk and mix well. Let the curry simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Taste the curry and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add a little more tamarind paste for a tangier flavor.
Once the curry has thickened and the vegetables are tender, remove from heat. Serve hot with rice or roti.
This curry goes wonderfully with steamed rice or any flatbread of your choice.
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