Begin by heating the olive oil in your large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until it becomes soft and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute, until fragrant.
Add both the sweet and hot curry powders to the pot. Stir well to coat the onions and garlic, allowing the spices to bloom for about a minute.
Next, add the rinsed lentils to the pot. Stir to combine, ensuring the lentils are well-coated with the spice mixture.
Pour in the vegetable broth and 1/4 cup of water. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if necessary to prevent sticking.
Once the lentils are cooked to your desired tenderness, stir in the chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and let sit for a few minutes before serving.