TARKA DAAL

Ingredients

     orange or red lentils-1 cup
     plenty of water
     turmeric powder- 1/4 tsp
     onions sliced very thin--1/4 medium to big size
     canola oil-3 tsp
     whole dry red pepper-1
     salt to taste
   
Method

Put lentils in a large bowl.
Put some water in the bowl. By dipping hands into the water rub lentils in your fist. Then drain water.
Add more water and repeat about 2 more times.
Finally drain and keep aside.
In a large steel pot fill water and place on medium heat.
When the water starts to boil add the washed lentils.
Let boil without a lid.
If water level decreases then add more warm water to maintain level above the lentils.
When the lentils change shape remove from heat. Mash the lentils with a ladle by pressing the lentils to the side of the pot.
Then add more water to make a soup consistency. Stir and put it back on medium heat.
Add turmeric and bring to a boil. Lower heat to simmer.

Place another dry pot on medium heat.
Add oil. After a few seconds when oil heats up add the onion. Fry onions till brown. Add the red pepper and stir for a few seconds. Transfer the lentils soup over the onions. Take care not to splash the hot soup. This can be done by pouring slowly and standing at a distance from the pot. This process is called TARKA.