Daal: Indian Spiced Lentils

• 1 ½ cups red lentils, washed and drained

• 1 ½ tbsp. ghee (‘samna’ in Arabic)

• 1 large onion, finely diced (I like to use a food processor)

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger

• 2 small red chillies or ½ tsp. dried red chilli flakes (optional)

• 1 tbsp. curry powder

• 1 tsp. ground coriander

• 1 tsp. ground turmeric

• ½ tsp. ground cumin

• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon

• 1 large tomato, finely diced

• 4-5 cups water

• salt & pepper