Spicy Lentils (South Africa) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups orange lentils (rinsed and picked through for no twigs or stones)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cumin seed, crushed
1 teaspoon cardamom seed, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup fresh tomato, diced peeled

Preparation

Dissolve salt in enough boiling water to cover lentils. Add lentils.
and cook until tender about 20 minutes. Drain and mash with potato masher.
Heat oil in a pan and fry onions and garlic until onions are golden.
Add remaining ingredients and simmer for a few minutes. Stir in lentils and heat until thick. Serve hot.