Dhaba style Butter Dal Vegan no Onion No Garlic

For the dal:

• 3/4 cup split red lentils (masoor dal) , see notes for other lentils
• 3 cups water
• 1 inch ginger julienned or finely chopped
• 1 hot green chili such as serano or indian chili finely chopped or Use mild chili if you wish
• 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 medium tomato, chopped small

For the tempering or tadka:

• 1 tablespoon Vegan Butter or Oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 dried red chilis use hot Indian or Thai, or for mild use California red or Kashmiri
• 6 black pepper corns
• 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek leaves
• 2 teaspoon kashmiri chili powder or use paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne or indian chili powder optional
• 1 large tomato cubed into 1 inch slices
• cilantro and lemon juice for garnish