Moong dal with Ginger (Lentils)

This week, a fellow foodie and scientist who's also a brilliant chef, Sylvia, asked for a lentil recipe from moi, मुझसे (mujhsey), aamakey! Oh, my, was I flattered. But besides being flattered, I had to give her a recipe she could try without running to the Indian grocery store and spend hours in a dazed state of mind for Indian spices can be confusing, especially if you're unused to the desi labels. Anyway, so, here's my recipe, Indian style, followed by a twisted one. Let me know how yours turns out. Would love to see some photos too.
Ingredients
1 cup moong dal (mung bean lentils)
2 tbsp ginger
1/2 cup coriander leaves
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp chili powder (optional)
1 tsp cumin powder
1-2 medium chilies (Thai), sliced
1/2 cup purple onions, chopped
1 tbsp clarified butter/ grapeseed oil 
Half a lemon
Salt to taste

• Boil the moong dal with the chilies and salt. I prefer a pressure cooker since it takes less than 15 minutes, but you could boil it in a pot too. Set aside.
• Saute onions with ginger, coriander leaves, cumin seeds and powder in a flat-bottomed pan in oil or ghee (if you're super skinny and/or don't care if your heart complains). Add chili powder if you're feeling adventurous. When the onions have wilted, and the color changed to translucent/white, add the dal.
• Be careful, the lentils may splatter! Add about 1 cup of water, and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes. Add more water if you want the lentils less thick.
• Garnish with a few coriander leaves, and a dash of lime juice. Eat with basmati rice. Enjoy!

Alternate recipe:

• Boil the dal with carrots (2-3 medium), potatoes (1 medium) and chiles.
• Saute the onions with coriander leaves, ginger, cumin seeds and powder.
• Add the dal with the vegetables to it. Boil or let simmer on medium-heat.
• Instead of water, add vegetable broth or chicken broth to make the lentils less dense. Simmer some more.
• Add a splash of lime juice, garnish with coriander leaves.
• Serve hot with basmati rice, or drink it as a soup with bread.
• Enjoy!