Wash and cook moong dal with ½ cup of water in a pressure cooker for 3 whites/hisses. Cooking in a saucepan will require more water.
In a saucepan heat oil, add cumin, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
When seeds splutter, add green chilies, onions and cook till onions are soft.
Add fenugreek leaves, garlic and cook until fenugreek leaves wilt.
Next add turmeric, chili powder if using, salt and give a good stir.
Add spinach and cook for a minute or two till leaves wilt.
Mash cooked dal and add to saucepan.
Let everything blend together, cook for a minute or two.
Add 1 cup of water and bring it to a boil.
Cook until Spinach is cooked and dal reaches a desired consistency, about 5-10 minutes.
Taste and adjust salt and chili powder.
Squeeze ½ lime or 1 tablespoon of juice.
Give a good stir, turn off the flame, cover and let it sit for few minutes before serving.
Serve with rice rice or Indian flatbread.