Lentils and Tomato Sauce With Macaroni and Fried Onions Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups diced onions
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 cups lentils, picked over and rinsed (brown or green)
• 3 cups water (I use 1 cup water and 2 cups vegetable broth)
• 1 (28 ounce) can whole tomatoes, with juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups uncooked ditalini (can substitute elbow macaroni, if desired)
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seed
• red pepper flakes (optional)