
Wash and soak the rice and dal if you haven’t already. Toast the spices: Heat a skillet over medium heat. Dry roast the red chili, 1/2 tsp split pea, coriander seeds until the split peas change color. 1 to 2 minutes. Add the coconut, mix and cook for 15 seconds. Cool, grind with cinnamon cardamom and keep aside.
In a pressure cooker, heat oil over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add mustard and cumin seeds. Cook until they start to pop.
Add curry leaves and onion. Mix, cook until translucent.
Add tomato, ground spices, sambhar powder, turmeric and mix well. Cook until tomatoes are saucy.
Add the tamarind, vegetables and peanuts and mix well.
Drain the split peas and rice and add to the cooker. Add salt, sugar and 2 3/4 cup water. Close the lid and pressure cook for 1 whistle over medium heat, (2 minutes after the pressure indicator turns on), then reduce heat to low and cook for 15 mins((or cook for total 12 to 15 minutes on high pressure in Instant Pot or other pressure cooker). Let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid. Taste and adjust salt, spice, sour. Add lemon juice if needed. Garnish with cilantro and serve with papadums or crackers.