Sri Lankan Dahl - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons cooking oil
1 large onion, finely sliced
2 dried red chilies, chopped
1 teaspoon shrimp paste
1 teaspoon turmeric powder
2 cups red lentils
4 curry leaves
2 cups coconut milk
1 cup vegetable stock, made with a cube
2 inches cinnamon sticks, whole
4 inches lemongrass (white part only)

Preparation

In a heavy pan heat the oil and fry the onion till golden brown.
Put half of the onions aside and save for garnish.
Add the chillies, shrimp paste, and turmeric and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the lentils, curry leaves, coconut milk, stock, cinnamon stick and lemon grass. Stir to mix all the ingredients together.
Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 40 mins, uncovered.
Discard the cinnamon stick and lemon grass stalk.
Garnish with the remaining onions and serve.