My Mother-In-Law's Easy Dhal

This is a great dhal recipe handed down to me from my mother-in-law. It is relatively quick and uncomplicated and makes a great side dish, but can stand alone as a tasty meal...

1&1/2 cups of red lentils
1 teaspoon of salt
3 cups of water
1 teaspoon oil
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 a tin of diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon of curry powder
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
1/2 a teaspoon of chilli flakes
1 bunch of coriander

* Put the lentils in a saucepan with the salt. Add the water and let it soak for a couple of hours (or leave it in a lidded saucepan on the stove before you go to work).

* Boil the lentils then reduce to a simmer (add water if it looks like they will dry out).

* Meanwhile, finely chop the onion and garlic, add to a frying pan with the oil, cook until golden, adding a little water when necessary.

* Add the curry powder, cumin seeds and chilli flakes to the onion and fry for a minute or so until aromatic.

* Add the tomato and then the onion and spice mixture to the lentils.

* Simmer and stir until about the consistency of porridge.

* Chop coriander leaves and stir through.

* Let the dhal sit for 5 minutes off the heat and then serve with natural/greek style/biodynamic plain yoghurt.