Middle Eastern Barley Lentil Rice Casserole Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN BARLEY, LENTIL, & RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium-large saucepan (I used a 2Q pan and it was just right; I've also sauteed in water instead of oil).
• Add onion and garlic; cook& stir 2 min.
• Stir in cinnamon, sugar, and 4 c water.
• Add lentils and barley.
• Bring to boil on med heat; reduce heat to low.
• Cover and simmer gently for 20 min.
• Add rice, apricots, raisins, and mint; stir.
• Simmer, covered, 20 more min or until all the ingredients are tender and have absorbed the liquid.
• Season to taste with pepper.

MUSHROOM LENTIL BARLEY CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Gently cook the shallots in the oil until softened and browned.
• Add the mushroooms and minced garlic and cook on high heat until the mushrooms start to release their juices.
• Stir in lentils, barley, soy sauce, sherry, herbs and 3/4 pint stock.
• Bring to a boil and then either transfer to a covered casserole dish and bake at 180C for 45 mins or leave in the sauce pan and simmer on top of the cooker for 25-30 mins - til the barley and lentils are cooked and most of the liquid is absorbed.
• You may need to top up the stock if it gets really dry so stir from time to time even if cooking in the oven, keep an eye on it.
• Check for seasoning (can't ever remember it needing salt - between the soy and stock it is okay ) retrieve the bay leaf and finish with a grind of black pepper.

MIDDLE EASTERN LENTIL & KOFTA BOWL BY SY

Steps:

• Mix the kofta ingredients and set aside.
• Put stock in a pot (non-stick Teflon) and after heated add; peas (lentils), celery, onion, tomato paste and let simmer for about 30+ minutes, with the cover on.
• Stirring occasionally.
• When the lentils are three quarters done, reserve about 1/2 cup for later use.
• Remove pot from stove and puree the soup, then back on the stove.
• After the soup is reduced somewhat, add; Semneh Seasonings and puree again.
• Let soup simmer for about 15 minutes, stir often (and make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot).
• When you have a real thick soup add the 1/2 cup reserved lentils and cook for one minutes more.
• The soup should be thick which will allow the koftas, zucchini and red peppers to float on top when added.
• While the soup is cooking, make the koftas.
• Form about 12-16 small flat kofta patties and fry with a little oil (or grilled).
• Make sure that the ground poultry is thoroughly cooked, flatten them with a spatula.
• Put the zucchini and chopped red pepper into a big bowl, add the butter and then into the microwave for about 1 minutes.
• Do not over cook!
• Add the thick lentil soup to each bowl.
• Make a nice looking design around the bowl by placing 2- koftas, 3 slices of zucchini and garnish with red peppers.
• Enjoy, with pita bread and accompanied with hot chili sauce, yogurt sauce, mint sauce, sour cream, sour pickles/vegetables, lemon wedges on the side.

MIDDLE EASTERN RICE AND LENTILS

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan, cook onion in oil till crisp-tender, about 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add broth, rice, lentils, potato, carrot, raisins, and seasonings.
• Cook until rice and lentils are almost tender, about 10 to 15 minutes.
• Stir in the bell pepper and peas.
• Cover and cook about 5-10 minutes more, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice and lentils are tender.
• Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
• I sometimes use this rice to make stuffed peppers.
• I put rice in peppers and pour canned spaghetti sauce (I usually add about 1/8 cup water to this) over, cover and bake about 45 to 60 minutes.
• I also use leftover rice to make veggie burgers.
• Enjoy!
• For Vegetarian/Vegan do not use chicken broth.

CURRIED LENTIL AND BARLEY CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat lentils, broth, curry powder and garlic to boiling in 3-quart saucepan; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in barley and frozen vegetables. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils and barley are tender and liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with cheese.

LEBANESE MJADRA - LENTIL & RICE LETTUCE CUPS

Steps:

• Using a medium saucepan, bring lentils and 4 cups of water to the boil on a high heat. Cover, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a frying pan. Cook the onion for 5 minutes, until soft and golden.
• Add half of the onion to the lentils. Also add the rice and stock. Season with salt. Return to the boil and cook for another 20 minutes, until thick and creamy.
• With the remaining half of the onion -- continue to fry for another 10 minutes. It should be dark brown and caramelized.
• Add the caramelized onion to the lentils and cook another 5 minutes. Stir occasionally.
• To serve- spoon lentils into lettuce cups and serve with lemon wedges, pepper and yogurt if desired.
• For vegetarian do not use chicken stock.