Spinach And Tomato Dal (Indian Lentil Soup) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup red lentils
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 pinch ground turmeric
1 bunch spinach, chopped
1 large plum tomato, chopped
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
water, as needed

Preparation

Bring lentils and 4 cups water to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook at a simmer 10 minutes. Skim off any scum that forms and continue to simmer until the lentils are tender, about 1 hour.
Heat the oil in a separate saucepan. Cook mustard seeds and cumin seeds in hot oil until they start to splatter, 2 to 3 minutes. Add onion, garlic, and turmeric to the seeds; cook and stir until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Stir spinach, tomato, and cayenne pepper into the onion mixture; cook until the spinach wilts and the tomato is tender, about 5 minutes.
Stir the cooked lentils and cilantro into the spinach mixture; bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Adjust salt and water to taste and texture preferences.