Red Lentils with Onions, Tomatoes & Garlic

This was one of Mum's favourite ways of preparing red lentils. It tastes great garnished with cilantro and a touch of ghee or butter.

Ingredients:

1 cup red lentils, washed and drained

2 cups water

salt to taste

¼ tsp. turmeric

2 medium onions, diced

2 Roma tomatoes, diced

6 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil

1/4 tsp. nigella (kalonji) seeds

Salt to taste

3 green chillies, slit

3 Tbsp. cilantro, chopped

1 tsp. ghee or butter

1/4 tsp. sugar (optional)

Direction

1. Cook lentils in water, salt and turmeric until lentils totally disintegrate & set aside.
2. Heat oil & fry nigella seeds and green chillies until they snap, crackle & pop.
3. Add onions, tomatoes & garlic & sauté until onions turn translucent.
4. Pour lentils over onions in pan, add sugar and bring to a boil.
5. Adjust salt to taste, garnish with cilantro & ghee and remove from heat.

Serve with steamed Basmati rice.