1.5 cups yellow or green split peas
1 tsp salt
1 onion
.5 green pepper
1 tsp tumeric
.5 tsp curry powder
1.5 tsp black mustard seeds
juice of 1 lemon

Boil the yellow split peas in 2 cups water for about 30 minutes--until they are tender but not so long that they lose their shape. They should be rather dry, like mashed potatoes, but keep an eye on them. You may need to add a little more water along the way. Stir in salt. While the peas are cooking chop onion and green pepper. Combine with tumeric and curry powder and set aside.
Heat up a heavy pan with a lid. When it is very hot, add mustard seed and cover. The seeds will pop noisily; shake the pan during this process to make sure they don't burn. (Traditionally, you do the seed popping in oil. It works without, but you need to be ready to add the next ingredients quickly.) When the sound quiets down, add the onion mixture and a little water for saute. Saute until onion is transparent and golden, and then stir this mixture into the peas along with the lemon juice. Serve with Chapatis (Indian bread) or over basmati rice, or whatever creative way you feel like doing.
Makes about 4 cups.