Dal Tadka

Method

1. boil20 min
   covered, skimming
   lentils + water + turmeric + salt, until the lentils collapse and no longer hold their shape
2. saute4 min
   medium-high
   ghee + cumin seeds until the seeds pop and darken, then + garlic + dried chili for thirty seconds — burnt cumin is bitter and cannot be rescued
3. saute5 min
   medium
   + onion + tomato + optionals, until the tomato breaks down entirely = tadka
4. mix1 min
   tadka poured over the dal, stirred once so it streaks rather than disappears