Indian Lentil Soup (Dal)

INGREDIENTS

1 cup red lentils
2 tablespoons ginger root, minced
1 teaspoon mustard seed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
4 tomatoes, chopped
3 onions, chopped
3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander seed
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup water
salt to taste

PREPARATION:

Cook the lentils by boiling or pressure cooking until lentils are soft. (Pressure cooking is faster.)
In a skillet heat the oil and add mustard seeds. When mustard seeds begin to flutter, add onions, ginger, jalapeno peppers, and garlic. Saute until the onions and garlic are golden brown. Add coriander and cumin. Add chopped tomatoes. Saute the mixture well until tomatoes are well cooked.
Add water. Boil 6 minutes. Add cooked lentils, stirring well. Add salt to taste, stirring well. Add finely chopped cilantro and remove from heat. Serve hot.

Serves 6.