1/2 cup Yellow Pigeon peas or Red Lentils

1 large Onion

1 Tomato

Fresh Ginger

3 cloves of Garlic

Pinch of Turmeric

Salt to taste

Cayenne

1 teaspoon Lemon Pepper

1 teaspoon Coriander powder

Canola Oil/ Vegetable Oil

1 teaspoon Cumin seeds

Cilantro for garnish

2 teaspoons Lemon Juice

Take 1/2 cup of Yellow Pigeon peas (you can also use Red Lentils) in a pot on a gas and add 1 cup water and keep covered till it cooks completely.You will know the lentils are cooked thoroughly once they turn mushy. Add salt to taste.  Keep them aside.

Chop ginger,garlic and onions finely. Then heat a pan, add 2 teaspoons of ghee or clarified butter. Transfer the chopped onion, ginger and garlic to the pan. Also, add pinch of turmeric and cayenne, salt to taste, 1 teaspoon lemon pepper powder and saute well till the onions are caramelized. Then chop a tomato and add it to the pan. Sprinkle some water and keep covered till the chopped tomato cooks well and takes in all the flavors from the spices. This is called a “TARKA” in Indian Cuisine and adds richness to the humble dal which we cooked earlier. Once onion tomato ginger garlic paste is cooked and ready, add the “TARKA” to the cooked lentils. I like to use a hand blender and blend it a little so you can still see bits of caramelized onions and tomatoes. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice or add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Chop some cilantro leaves and use to garnish as well. Enjoy!

Nutrition facts

Lentils in general contain high levels of protein and the important aminoacids methionine, lysine and tryptophan.