Heat oil in a kadai. Add in channa dal, pepper, dry red chilli and cumin seeds. Saute for a min.

Add in shallots and garlic, saute for couple of mins. Remove them to a blender.

In the same pan, add in the spinach and give a quick toss for a couple min. Add in coconut and mix for a min.

Remove that and add it to the same blender. Puree them coarsely. You can add little water if you need. Once they are roughly pureed add in jaggery, salt and tamarind. Puree again. You can adjust the consistency.

Serve with rice or idly and dosa.