Improved Yam-in-Gravy

Ingredients

• of small red lentils
  2 cups
• about 5 cups water
  1 unit
• black mustard seeds]
  2 tsp
• to large yams

  peeled and cut into 1" cubes
  5 medium
• enough water to cover the yams by about ½"
  1 unit
• turmeric
  1 tsp
• tamarind concentrate

  blended with water so it dissolves easily in the pot (ever bite a lump of tamarind concentrate?)
  2 tsp
• (or more) compounded asafoetida
  1 tsp
• (optional) finely ground dried coconut
  1 tsp
• rice milk
  ½ cup
• fresh cilantro
  ½ cup
• a handful of fresh or dried curry leaves
  1 unit
• salt to taste
  1 unit
• fresh chile paste to taste
  1 unit
• – ¼ cup chickpea (gram or besan) flour mixed with water
  2 tbsp