Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  cup           olive oil
   1      medium        onion -- sliced
   1      teaspoon      cumin seeds
   2                    cinnamon sticks -- broken up
   2      cups          masoor dal -- picked over and
                        -- rinsed
   1      teaspoon      ground coriander
     1/2  teaspoon      ground red pepper
     1/4                tespoon turmeric
   1      large         tomato -- halved
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
  20      whole         okras -- ends nipped off

Preparation:

Heat the oil in a deep pot. Cook the onion with the cumin seeds and cinnamon sticks over medium heat until the onion begins to brown. Add the dal, ground coriander, red pepper, and turmeric, and stir. Cook for 2 minutes. Add 5 cups of water. Stir and bring to a boil. Add the tomato, salt, and okras. Cover and cook for 20 to 25 minutes. serves 6