Masoor (split red gram) dal (lentils)

Ingredients:
Masoor dal - 1.5 cup
Water - 3-3.5 cup
Onions, sliced or chopped - 1-2 nos.
Potato, large, cut into big pieces - 1-2 nos.
Rai (mustard seeds) - 1 tsp
Jeera (cumin seeds) - 1 tsp
Curry leaves - 1 stalk
Green chillies, slit lengthwise - 2-3 nos.
Red chillies - 2-3 nos.
Haldi (turmeric) - 1/4 tsp
Oil - 1 tbsp
Salt - to taste

Servings: 4-5
Cooking time: 25-30 minutes (5 min prep, 25 min cook)

Method:
Boil 3 cups of water in a wok. Add the dal, green chillies, and potato pieces and stir. Cook covered for 5 min on a medium flame. Add the sliced/chopped onions and cover again. Heat until potato pieces are cooked, stirring often. Add haldi and salt. Add more water if needed, and cook until dal is soft. In a small pan, heat the oil and add rai, jeera, curry leaves and red chillies. When they sputter, transfer contents to the wok. Mix well and serve with rice or bread. Can be garnished with a stalk of coriander (cilantro) leaves.

Author: Sundar
Modifications:
---The onions can be fried separately and the cooked dal can be added to this.
---For a different flavour, try crushed and fried garlic pods.
---Your favourite leafy greens can be washed, chopped and added with the dal, green chillies and potato pieces.
Author's comments:
Delicious and simple, you can try your own modifications. You could replace part or all of the dal with moong (split green gram) or toor (split yellow gram) for variety. Be aware that moong may take slightly longer to cook!