1. Place onion, garlic, and hot pepper in a pot, cover with oil (be generous with the oil ;they should swim in it). Let all of it simmer, about 5 minutes. Add lentils, and stir.
2. Add spices stir, add water to cover lentils. Cook at medium to medium high.
3. You will have to keep checking because the water cooks down and you will have to add more to make the dal the consistency you like. Stir often because it helps the lentils cook down well.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning. Be aware that you don't want too much cardamom and ginger; they take control of flavors, unlike cumin and coriander.
Serve with spinach, naan, and rice.