In a pot, boil water and add in the washed red lentils when water starts boiling along with the curry leaves.

Cover halfway and cook at medium until lentils are tender and they turn yellow Estimated time would be from within 15-20 minutes

Add the garlic and ginger (mix well)

Add in the spices and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes

On a separate pan: add in the olive oil/ or your choice of oil and wait till it warms up

Add in the cumin seeds and the curry leaves and fry for 25 seconds

Add in the sliced onions and fry until brown (not burnt)

In the pot: add in the fried onions and mix well. Turn heat up high and stir occasionally (make sure nothing sticks) for 5 minutes

After 5 minutes bring the heat back to low (3) and cook for another 5 minutes until the curry thickens

Serve with basmati/white/brown rice or roti (flat bread)

Garnish it with cilantro when on the plate