I like this one and cook it a lot, either on its own, with rice or really spicy vegetables.
8 oz chana dal or yellow split peas, picked over, washed and drained
2 pints water
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
2 thin slices unpeeled ginger (I guess you can substitute ginger powder but not sure how much)
2/3 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garam masala
3 tablespoons ghee or vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1-2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
chilli powder to taste (depending on what I'm eating it with I use 1/8 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon)
Put the dhal in a heavy pot with the water, bring to a boiler and remove any surface scum. Add the turmeric and ginger, cover, leaving the lid just very slightly ajar, turn heat to low and simmer gently till the dhal is tender and all the water has gone, stir every 5 minutes or so during the last part of cooking to prevent sticking, add the salt and garam masala, stir to mix.
Heat the ghee or oil in a small frying pan over a medium flame, when hot put in the cumin seeds and a couple fo seconds later the garlic, stir and fry till the garlic is lightly browned, put the chilli powder into the pan then immediately lift the pan off the heat and pour it all into the the pot with the dhal, stir to mix.
That does look very complicated typed up but its really easy :)
