Lajawab Garam Masala Dal

"Dal" is typically a thickish version of lentil soup (something you get at Middle-Eastern eateries). "Garam Masala" is a ground powder of a mixture of cloves, cinnamon, black peppercorns, cardamom and a couple of other spices. "Lajawab" just means exceptional! :-)

Ingredients:

1 cup tuvar/toor dal (yellow lentils)
1 tsp garam masala (Badshah or Everest)
1 yellow onion medium, cut in fine pieces
1 medium tomato, cut in small pieces
4-5 long Red chilli peppers
Ginger paste (pinch)
Garlic paste (1 tsp)
Salt to taste
Sugar (pinch)
Asafoetida (pinch)
Turmeric (pinch)
Cilantro for garnishing

Method:

Wash the dal well and boil it in a pressure cooker until cooked well.
In a pot, add 1 tsp oil (or ghee / clarified butter). When heated, add asafoetida and red chilli peppers. Fry until brown. Then add ginger paste, garlic paste, garam masala and onions and fry until onions are transluscent to slight brown. Once onions are done, add tomato and cook until oil/ghee separates.
Whisk cooked dal until paste. Then, add dal, turmeric, sugar and salt and continue until it boils. Make sure you stir well so that it doesnt stick to the bottom of the pot. Finally, add cut cilantro for garnishing.