Dal Bhat (Nepalese Mountain Lentil Curry)

Name: Dal Bhat (Nepalese Mountain Lentil Curry)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Asian, Indian
Ingredients: 1 cup red lentils, washed and drained; 2.5-3 cups water; 1/2 teaspoon turmeric; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp Aleppo chili (or 2 or 3 dried red chilies, stemmed, to taste); 1 tsp coriander seeds; 1/2 tsp cumin seeds; 3 cloves; one 1-inch piece cinnamon or cassia stick; seeds from 2 green cardamom pods; 5 or 6 black peppercorns; 1 tablespoon mustard or vegetable oil; 1 cup finely chopped onion; brown rice, to serve