Indian Dal

Cut up onion, garlic, and as much hot pepper as you would like.

Place all of them in a pot and pour in enough vegetable oil (1/2 cup) so the ingredients swim in it.

Let this simmer for about 5 minutes.

wash lentils and add into mixture.

Add remaining spices and add enough water so that the lentils are covered. You will need to add water as it cooks down until it reaches a consistency you like. The less water, the more firm the lentils - the more water, the more soupy.

Stir very often so lentils do not burn, approximately every 5-10 minutes.