Ingredient:

• 1 cup white rice
• 1 cup yellow lentils (moong dal)
• 3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter), divided
• salt to taste
• 4 cups water, or as desired
• 1 ½ teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
• 5 curry leaves
• 1 (1 inch) piece fresh ginger root, minced (Optional)
• ¼ cup cashews (Optional)