Daal

Serves 4-6.
Cooking time: 45 minutes

1 cup lentil (small, orange color beans called "masur or moong daal")
4 cups water
2 medium yellow onions, chopped
1 Tsp  crushed garlic (or 6 chopped garlic cloves).
1 1/2 Tsp oil
2 Tsp tomato paste
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
1/4 chilli powder
2 tsp salt
a small amount of  butter

Wash lentil thoroughly and soak in 4 cups of water and in a large saucepan for atleast 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, chop onions and garlic if needed. In a small frypan, heat oil and saute onions and garlic.

Place the large saucepan on the stove and bring the lentil to a boil. Lower heat to medium and cook covered for 20-25 minutes.

Pour onion and garlic mixture. Add tomato paste, turmeric powder, chilli powder and salt, bring lentil to a boil.

Add a blob of butter to enhance the flavor and remove from stove. Serve "daal" warm over rice.