Add all of the spices to a small bowl, and mix really well. Set aside.

Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the potatoes, and toss well to coat. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, then add 1 teaspoon of the vindaloo spice mix and salt into the potatoes, tossing well to coat. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover with a lid, and cook until the potatoes are almost cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir them once in between to crisp up some of the other edges of the potatoes, as well. Remove the potatoes from the pan.

To the same pan, add a teaspoon of oil, then heat it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the onion and ¼ teaspoon of the salt. Mix and cook until the onion is golden, about 7 to 9 minutes, adding splashes of water in between to help the onion brown evenly and stirring every minute, as well.

Once the onion is golden, reduce the heat to medium-low, mix in the other teaspoon of oil, then add in all of the remaining vindaloo spice mix, and mix well. If the pan is getting a little too dry, mix in splashes of water, which will also reduce the heat of the pan a little bit, so that the spices don't burn. Then, cook for a few seconds, and stir in the ginger-garlic paste, tomato paste, and vinegar. If your pan is too hot, then add in a splash of water. If you're using minced ginger and garlic, just add the minced ginger and garlic first, cook for a minute, then add in the tomato paste and vinegar and mix in.

Mix in ¼ cup of the water, stir really well, increase the heat back to medium, and bring to a boil, cooking until the whole mixture thickens a little bit and starts to leave the sides of the pan and you can see a sheen of oil on top. That will take anywhere from 3 to 4 minutes.

Add in the remaining ¾ cups of the water and mix well. Depending on how it's saucy you want the lentils vindaloo to be, you can add in more water at this point. Bring to a boil, fold in the lentils, potatoes, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt. If you like the sauce to be creamier, add in. 2-3 tablespoons non dairy yogurt and cream as well. Then mix and cover with the lid and cook for 3 to 5 minutes for the flavors to meld, then switch off the heat. Taste and adjust salt and flavor, and garnish with non-dairy yogurt, cilantro, and lemon juice. Serve with rice, flatbread, or naan.