Beggar's Dal

3 cups red lentils (these are brown lentils with the husks removed), rinsed
6 cups water
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic, pureed
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
1 teaspoon turmeric
½ teaspoon red chili flakes
¼ teaspoon ground fennel
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/3 cup green onion, chopped
1 tomato, diced
1/3 cup cilantro, chopped (aka fresh coriander)
salt to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

Brown onion in vegetable oil (get it really caramelized). Add garlic and
ginger, cook 3 minutes. Add spices, cook 2 minutes. Add rinsed lentils and
water, simmer gently until lentils are tender, about 15 minutes. Garnish dal
with tomato, cilantro and green onion.

NOTES:

Collect all spices in a bowl and dump in all at once.