Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     3/4  pound         brown or green lentils -- washed
                        -- and picked over
   6      cups          -- water
   1                    bay leaf
                        salt
   1      tablespoon    olive oil
   1      large         onion -- chopped
  20      milliliters   garlic -- minced or put
                        a garlic press
   1                    green pepper -- seeded and
   2                    hot chili peppers -- seeded
                        finely chopped
   1 1/2  pounds        fresh tomatoes -- seeded and
                        chopped or
   1 1/2  pounds        canned tomatoes -- drain juice
                        freshly ground pepper
   3      tablespoons   to 4 T cilantro -- chopped
     1/2                lemon -- optional , juice of

Preparation:

Combine the lentils, water, and bay leaf in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30 to 40 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Add salt to taste. Drain and retain some of the cooking liquid. Heat the oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet or casserole and add the onion and garlic. Sauté over medium-low heat until the onion is tender and beginning to color. Add the green pepper and chili peppers and sauté another 5-10 minutes until the pepper is tender and add the tomatoes and drained lentils. Add a little bit of cooking liquid from the lentils if the mixture seems dry. Simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Season to taste with more salt and pepper, stir in the cilantro and lemon juice if desired, and serve, or allow to cool and serve chilled. This dish will keep for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Source: Mediterranean Light by Martha Rose Shulman.