Dal

Ingredients

• 1 lb dried lentils, rinsed and picked over
• 1 onion, roughly chopped
• fresh ginger, 2-inch piece, peeled and minced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon curry powder (hot or mild, your preference)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 dried red chilies (or hot red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, to taste)
• 3 -4 tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped (optional)
• salt
• black pepper