Tarka Dal

Ingredients

• Dal
• 1 1/4 cups mung dal (miniature split yellow lentils)
• 1/2 cup masoor dal (split red lentils)
• 3 1/2 cups water (or more to keep fluid)
• 1 tablespoon ginger or 1 tablespoon garlic paste
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 2 hot green chili peppers, chopped finely
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1/2 cup cauliflower
• 1/2 cup drumstick leaves (well, actually, not the leaves but the drumstick itself, but it won't accept the term- it's a widely)
• 1/4 cup curry leaf, loosely ripped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Tarka
• 3 tablespoons rice bran oil (or other healthy oil)
• 1/4 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon kalonji seeds (or black onion)
• 1 onion, chopped finely
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 2 dried red chilies (optional, depending on how much heat you like)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Garnish
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro