Pressure cook toor dal until very tender and set aside.
Grind all the ingredients for spice paste into a fine paste, using little water.
Microwave or steam the vegetables until tender.
Combine the veggies and dal in a saucepan along with salt, turmeric and the spice paste. Add water, if needed and simmer on low heat for the flavors to blend.
Heat oil in a pan and add all the ingredients for the tempering. Once the seeds start to splutter, add to the dal. Serve with rice.