Spicedlentilsandrice Recipes

SPICY RED LENTILS AND RICE

Steps:

• Combine the lentils, 3 1/4 cups water, turmeric, grated ginger, salt and garam masala in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook for 15-20 minutes until lentils are tender. Stir in the tomato purée. Depending on how soupy you want this, feel free to add in more water. The lentils will thicken as they stand.
• While the lentils are cooking, cook the rice.
• About 5 minutes before the lentils are to be ready, heat the canola oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, sliced garlic, sliced ginger and thai red chilis and simmer until garlic is just tender but not browned. Drizzle the heated oil mixture into the lentils and stir together. Season to taste, as needed.
• Divide rice among 4 bowls and top with lentils. Garnish with cilantro.

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.

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.

SIMPLE YUMMY SPICED LENTILS

Steps:

• mince the garlic and dice the onion.
• heat oil in a medium-sized pot, add onion and garlic and heat on low until the onions become translucent (it's important to keep it on the lowest heat setting because garlic burns really easily!).
• add a pinch or two of curry powder, coat onions and garlic and sautee for one more minute or until the spice starts to dye them.
• now add the lentils and water according to the packaging (mine suggested 1 cup of lentils and 3 cups of water), bring to a boil and add the rest of the spices.
• stir, cover, turn the heat back down to low and let simmer for 20-30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
• drain most of the water and serve over rice or with pita or naan bread and enjoy!
• *you can use any spices you have laying around, really. I just sifted through my cupboards and found that these work really well together, but feel free to experiment, add veggies, whatever you like :).