(Uber Simple) Lentil soup

Ingredients

1. Onion - 1 medium, diced 
2. Carrot - 1 large, diced 
3. Masoor dal/green lentils - 1.5 cups (washed, and strained) 
4. Garlic cloves - 4-5, minced 
5. Cumin powder - 1.5 tspn 
6. Olive oil - 2 tbpsn 
7. Salt-  to taste

Method 

1.  Heat olive oil in a thick bottomed vessel, add onions. Let it cook till its soft, and slightly brown. You can expedite this step by adding 1/2 tspn salt. 
2. Add carrots, and garlic to the onions. Let it cook till the garlicky smell disappears, around 1 minute.
3. Add lentil, and cumin powder. After mixing it all together, add 4 cups of water ( I added around 6 which was too much, I had to boil it with the lid open at the end, to remove excess water).
4. Increase the flame so it boils. Once it starts boiling, you can reduce the flame, and cover and cook till lentils are completely cooked. This will take about 30-45 minutes. 
5. You can mash the lentils after it is cooked. 
6. Serve with fresh chopped cilantro.

A variation to this soup that I would try next time is adding cilantro stems while it boils, and then the leaves once soup is done. It will enhance the yumminess of the soup!