Moroccan Chickpea Stew

Name: Moroccan Chickpea Stew
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 1 h 11 min
Total time: 1 h 36 min
Cuisine: Moroccan, African
Ingredients: 1 large onion, finely chopped; 1 T olive oil (or perhaps a little more, depending on your pan); 2 tsp. minced ginger (or grated fresh ginger); 1 T finely minced garlic; 1 tsp. ground turmeric; 3/4 cup celery, finely diced; 1 tsp. Garam Masala; 1 1/2 tsp. ground cardamom; 1/4 tsp. ground cayenne pepper; 1 tsp. ground cumin; 6 cups vegetable stock or canned vegetable broth; 1 1/2 cups red lentils; one 15 oz. can chickpeas, rinsed until no more foam appears; one 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes; cooked brown rice for serving (optional); sour cream or plain yogurt for serving (optional)