Here is my quick, non fancy way:
Soak dal for 30 minutes.
Put it in the pan with water enough to cover it an inch or 2 higher than dal.
Put salt, lal pepper, garlic & ginger paste, few cloves if you like.
Boil & let it simmer until the consistency is right & dal is soft.
Baghair / tarka with oil, zeera & some onions. Done
