Masoor Dal (Spiced Red Lentils)

INGREDIENTS

2 tbsp

vegetable oil

1 cup

finely chopped onion

2 1/2 cups

(10 ounces, about 1 medium) finely diced sweet potato

1 tbsp

minced ginger

garlic cloves, minced

Thai or bird's-eye red chili

1 cup

red lentils

2 tsp

ground coriander

2 tsp

ground cumin

2 tsp

turmeric

1 tsp

ground ginger

1 cup

canned chopped tomatoes

Salt

3 tbsp

chopped cilantro

Pieces of coconut flesh from a fresh coconut (optional)