* 4 cups water * 1 cup yellow split peas * 1/2 cup drained * 3 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil * 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds * 1 onion, chopped * 1/2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated (i freeze peeled ginger and use a microplane zester) * 2 cloves garlic, minced * 1 cinnamon stick * 2 bay leaves