Spiced Lentils And Rice Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN RICE (MEJADRA)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add about 1/3 of the onions and cook for 5 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
• Repeat with remaining onions, in two batches.
• Put the olive oil, cumin seeds and coriander in a saucepan over medium heat.
• Cook for a couple of minutes until the spices are fragrant.
• Add the rice and stir to coat with the oil and spices.
• Add the water and lentils.
• While it comes to boil, add all the other spices, salt and pepper.
• When it comes to a boil, turn it down to medium-low, cover with lid and let cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until all the liquid has mostly been absorbed.
• Remove from heat and let it rest for 10 minutes - during this time, any residual liquid will absorb.
• Fluff rice with a fork and adjust the seasoning with more salt if you wish.
• Just prior to serving, stir through most of the onions and top with remainder. Sprinkle with chopped coriander if desired. Best served warm.

SPICED LENTILS AND RICE

Steps:

• Cut up onions, carrots, apples and green onions. Mince garlic.
• In a large saucepan, saute onions and garlic in oil for 3 minutes.
• Add cumin, curry, cinnamon and salt. Let cook another 2 minutes.
• Stir in carrots and rice. Stir for 1 minute, then carefully pour in stock. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed by the rice.
• Remove from heat. Stir in lentils, apples and green onions.
• Garnish with plain yogurt, if desired.

SPICED LENTIL-BROWN RICE BURGERS

Steps:

• Make the burgers: Combine 2 cups water, the lentils, rice, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook until tender, 40 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, 10 minutes. If there is water left in the saucepan, cook, uncovered, until evaporated.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and carrot and cook, stirring, until browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the kale, garlic, cumin, curry powder and allspice. Cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons water and cook, stirring, until the liquid evaporates. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pulse the oats in a food processor until finely ground with some coarse pieces. Add the warm lentil mixture and the vegetable mixture and pulse until combined but still chunky. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool. Form into four 4-inch patties (about 1/2 inch thick). Transfer to a baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Combine the lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl; let sit 5 minutes. Whisk in the tahini, 2 tablespoons water and the hot sauce, thinning with more water, if needed. Season with salt and more hot sauce to taste.
• Preheat a grill to medium high. Brush the burgers with olive oil on both sides. Grill until well marked, about 3 minutes per side. Grill the pitas until warmed. Serve the burgers in the pitas with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles and the tahini sauce.

SPICED BASMATI RICE WITH LENTILS AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Melt butter in 10-inch-diameter oven-proof nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add onions and stir 1 minute. Cover and cook until onions are tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Uncover and sauté until onions are deep golden, about 5 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from heat. Spread onions in even layer in same skillet; set aside.
• Meanwhile, cook lentils in pot of boiling water until almost tender but still firm to bite, about 20 minutes. Drain.
• Combine 2 1/2 cups water, cardamom, allspice, bay leaf and salt in heavy medium saucepan; bring to boil. Add rice and lentils; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer until rice is tender and water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Discard cardamom, allspice and bay leaf.
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Spoon rice mixture atop onions in skillet, pressing with back of spoon to compact rice; smooth top. (Can be made 2 hours ahead. Cool. Cover and let stand at room temperature.)
• Cover skillet tightly with double layer of foil. Bake rice mixture until heated through, about 35 minutes. Remove foil; let stand 5 minutes. Place plate over skillet; invert skillet, releasing rice and onions onto plate and scraping any onions remaining in skillet onto rice. Spoon rice and onions onto plates and serve.

SPICY CURRIED LENTILS AND RICE

Steps:

• Pour the oil into a medium or large saucepan with a lid over medium heat. Add the onion, ginger, garlic and pepper. Sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Cook until onion begins to slightly soften, about 5 minutes.
• Add lentils, rice, curry powder, and water. Stir well.
• Cover the pan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 35 minutes.
• Remove from heat, add peas to pot, replace cover and let sit undisturbed for 5 more minutes.
• Add tomatoes and salt and fluff with a fork. Transfer to a serving plate. Top with cilantro. Serve immediately.

WHOLE RICE AND LENTILS (MAJADARA)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat; cook and stir onion and garlic until onion has softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add ginger and stir until fragrant, 1 minute. Add brown rice and stir to coat rice with oil.
• Stir lentils, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon into rice mixture; cover with water. Place lid on pot and simmer over low heat until lentils are tender and rice has absorbed the water, about 45 minutes.

INDIAN-SPICED RICE WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Rinse lentils; drain. Place in small bowl. Rinse rice; drain. Place in another small bowl. Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cinnamon, cloves, and cumin; sauté about 2 minutes. Add garlic and ginger; sauté about 30 seconds. Add water, salt, sugar, and turmeric; bring to boil. Reduce heat; add lentils and cook 8 minutes. Increase heat to high. Add rice and boil 5 minutes. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until lentils and rice are tender and liquid is absorbed, about 8 minutes longer. Remove from heat; let stand covered 5 minutes. Transfer rice to large bowl. Remove cinnamon stick pieces and cloves. Mix in cilantro and lime juice.
• Basmati rice is available at Indian markets and some supermarkets.

SPICED RICE & LENTILS WITH CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a pan, add the onion and carrots, then fry for 5 mins until lightly coloured. Stir in the rice and lentils, cook for 1 more min, add the curry paste and 900ml water, then bring to the boil. Cover, then simmer for 10 mins.
• Stir in the cauliflower, then cook for 10 mins more until the rice and lentils are tender. Add the peas 2 mins before cooking time is up, stirring through. Top with the nuts, then serve with yogurt and mango chutney in bowls.