Dry roast all the ingredients from table - 1 except fresh coconut. Roast them till they are golden brown. Once the spices and dal roast well... add in the fresh grated coconut at the last stage and toast for few seconds... just to dry them out. (Do not roast for long time it will brown and spoil the dish) Let this cool a bit.
Meanwhile, in another pan... heat oil and saute onion, ginger, garlic and green chili table-2 for few minutes or until the onion becomes translucent. Add int he tomatoes and cook till they turn mushy. Once done... let it rest to cool a bit.
Now take all the roasted spices, coconut and the sauteed onion mixture in a mixer jar and grind to a fine paste. (You may add water to run the mixer) Keep this aside. Now heat oil from table-3 and season with curry leaves and add this ground paste along with turmeric powder, salt and water. Bring this to a rolling boil... simmer until desired gravy consistency and switch off! Garnish with coriander leaves & finish!
Notes
Serves – 3 to 4
Bay leaf is very strong when ground… hence using only a small piece, do not use the entire leaf.
For variation you may try copra thenga in the place of fresh coconut for a different style salna.
This is just base recipe with no vegetables or meat… you may include if you want or even add boiled eggs to it.