Masoor lentil curry

This is THE famous curry lentils recipe. Now, I have given this recipe to a couple of people, and they have tried making it, and they claim that I am leaving out a secret ingredient. I swear there is NO secret ingredient! The only thing I do different is adjust the last 6 ingredients (see end of Cook section) according to taste. That's a lot of variables, but I don't know how else to describe it! Just try it. And if it tastes like crap, then you're just going to have to keep coming back to me for the real deal.
The lentils themselves can be any kind... French, Moroccan, green lentils (which might be the same as Moroccan) the large brown ones, or the small brown ones. I prefer using the small brown ones as I think they have the most flavor. But if there are other lentils you like, then by all means, use them, just make sure they are WHOLE.

Ingredients:
1 cup whole masoor lentils
1 onion, diced (red or yellow, we don't discriminate)
2 cloves of garlic, minced
Whole spices (2 cinnamon sticks)
Pinch of Asofoteida (also known as Hing)
1 tsp chili pwd
1/2 tsp turmeric pwd
1 tsp coriander pwd
1 tsp fennel pwd
1/4 tsp tamarind concentrate
3 tbsp coconut milk pwd (sub w/ 3/4 cup coconut milk)
1 tsp cinnamon pwd
1 tsp garam masala
2 tbsp fry masala (see recipe in Misc. section)
3 tsp salt
3 tsp sugar
1 tbsp vegetable or Canola oil

Preparation:
Soak lentils in water overnight.
Before cooking, drain remaining water from lentils. Mix lentils w/ onions, chili, turmeric, coriander and fennel pwds.

Cook:
Heat oil over medium heat in deep pot.
Add cinnamon sticks. Once they begin sizzling, add hing and garlic.
Immediately add lentil mixture and saute vigorously for 5-7 mins. Lentils will slightly change color as they begin to cook and absorb spices.
Add water until lentils are submerged (2-3 cups). Allow mixture to boil without lid for 2-3 mins. Turn down heat slightly and cover.
Check every 5-7 mins, stir and cover again until lentils are soft.
Once cooked, add coconut milk pwd, tamarind paste, cinnamon pwd, garam masala, fry masala, salt and sugar. Adjust salt and sugar according to taste.
ENJOY!