Indian Dal Soup

Prepare the Lentils Rinse the red lentils thoroughly in cold water.

Cook the Lentils In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed lentils and salt. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are soft and mushy.

Prepare the Spice Blend While the lentils are cooking, heat vegetable oil in a separate pan over medium heat.

Temper the Spices Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds to the hot oil. Stir and cook until they start to splutter.

Add Aromatics Add minced garlic and grated ginger to the pan. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.

Cook the Onion Add chopped onion to the pan. Sauté until translucent and lightly browned.

Add Tomatoes Add chopped tomatoes and sliced green chili to the pan. Cook until the tomatoes are soft and mushy.

Add Spice Powders Add turmeric powder, paprika, and garam masala to the pan. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the spices.

Combine the Lentils and Spices Transfer the cooked lentils to the pan with the spiced vegetable mixture. Stir well to combine.

Add Spinach Add chopped spinach to the pan. Cook for another 5 minutes, until wilted.

Serve the Soup Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.