In a saucepan wash and rinse your masoor dal and add the water and turmeric powder and boil it(2-3 whistle in pressure cooker) until cooked but not mushy.

Meanwhile start chopping your onion and tomato. Also in a mortal pestle add everything mentioned under the masala paste and grind to a paste like consistency.

Heat oil in a pan. Give tadka (seasoning) of mustard seeds, cumin seeds, hing and curry leaves let it splutter and add in the onions, saute until light pink. Add tomatoes and cook it until soft and mushy.

Add the masala paste and cook until raw smell goes.

In goes the cooked dal along with the water in which it was boiling.

Mix everything well and let it boil for 10 mins. Add in handful of coriander leaves and salt to taste. Mix and boil for another 5 mins. Add lemon zest and mix.

Serve hot along with rice, lemon wedge, pickle and papad.