Best 5 Lentil And Rice Pilaf Recipes
Lentil and rice pilaf is a simple yet flavorful dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It is made with lentils, rice, and a variety of spices, and can be cooked in one pot in about 30 minutes. This versatile dish is a great way to add protein and fiber to your diet, and it is also a good source of vitamins and minerals. Lentils are a good source of protein, fiber, and iron, while rice is a good source of carbohydrates and B vitamins. The spices used in lentil and rice pilaf, such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric, add flavor and depth to the dish, and also have a number of health benefits. Cumin is a good source of antioxidants and has been shown to lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Coriander is a good source of vitamins A and C, and has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric is a good source of curcumin, which has been shown to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
LENTIL-AND-RICE PILAF
The recipe for this savory side dish comes from Norm Matthews of Junction City, Kansas.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains Rice Recipes
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- In a 10-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are golden and caramelized, 35 to 40 minutes. Season with coarse salt and ground pepper.
- Meanwhile, in a 3-quart saucepan, bring 5 cups water to a boil. Stir in brown lentils; reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain; rinse pan.
- Return lentils to pan; add long-grain rice and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer. Cook until rice is tender and has absorbed liquid, 10 to 12 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Scatter onions on pilaf.
RICE AND LENTIL PILAF - INDIAN STYLE
This is a comfort-food that is an adaptation of a Sara Moulton recipe. Basmati rice with the added flavors of whole spices toasted in oil, with lentils and potatoes. A bit of work, but well worth the effort.
Provided by LifeIsGood
Categories Potato
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, bay leaf, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, chiles, and cloves and then cook for about a minute while stirring, until the spices become fragrant. Take the spices out of the pot and reserve. Turn the heat down to med-low and add the onion to the pan. Cook for approximately 10 minutes, stirring once and a while, and then take the pot off the heat and set aside.
- Rinse the rice in a colander. Once the rice is rinsed and drained, add it to the onion in the saucepan and put in the reserved spices and add the turmeric and cook over med-heat, stirring, for about 1 minute.
- Add in 1 1/2 C water and 1/2 t salt to the mixture and bring it all to a boil over high heat. Cover the pan with a paper towel and then the lid. Let this simmer this way, over low heat, for approx.20 minutes, or until all the liquid has been soaked up. Take the pan off of the heat and set aside, leaving it covered, for approximately 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the lentils, 2 C water and 1/2 t salt in a different saucepan and bring it to a boil over high heat. Then put a lif on it and simmer, over low heat. for approximately 25 minutes (until the lentils get tender).
- Now, heat the remaining 2 T vegetable oil, over medium heat, in a large nonstick skillet. Add in the potatoes and cook for approx 10 or 12 minutes, until the potatoes get a bit browned (stirring occasionally). Take the heat down to low and cook for about 5 minutes more. Then you can add the carrots to the potatoes and cook for 3 more minutes, or just until both are tender.
- Next, you can fluff the rice with a fork and take out the bay leaf, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, cloves and chiles. Then drain your lentils and stir them into the rice along with the potato mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste and enjoy.
LEBANESE LENTIL-AND-RICE PILAF WITH BLACKENED ONIONS
Categories Onion Rice Side Sauté Vegetarian Yogurt Ramadan Spice Lentil Fall Healthy Simmer Bon Appétit Pescatarian Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and next 4 ingredients; sauté until onion softens, about 4 minutes. Add broth and lentils; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Stir in rice; return to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until liquid is absorbed and rice and lentils are tender, about 15 minutes longer.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions; sauté until soft and beginning to blacken, about 20 minutes.
- Season pilaf to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer to plates; top with blackened onions. Place tomatoes and cucumber alongside. Top pilaf with dollop of yogurt. Sprinkle with mint.
MICROWAVE SPANISH RICE AND LENTIL PILAF
Great side dish that doesn't heat up the kitchen. I start this before I get the rest of supper ready, and often have a few minutes to rest before I call the kids in.
Provided by Anemone
Categories Brown Rice
Time 55m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine (drained) lentils, rice, tomatoes, stock, basil, cinnamon and sugar in microwave-safe casserole dish.
- Cover and microwave on HIGH (100%) 8-10 minutes. Continue cooking on MED (50%) 40-45 minutes until rice is tender and fluffy.
- Let stand covered for 5 minutes, sprinkle with your choice of cheese.
MDARDARA (LENTIL AND RICE PILAF)
My stepmother is a North Lebanon native, and her version of this is a secret, but this recipe is just as good. It's nice and hearty, and good for toddlers and babies. Pureed, it's called Mjaddara, and the onions are still tender, and mixed in. From the Sahtain cookbook.
Provided by BigFatMomma
Categories Long Grain Rice
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Soak rice in hot water (not the 5 cups above--separate water) for 15 minutes, drain.
- Stir fry onions in oil until golden brown, set aside to crisp and drain.
- In the same pot, reserve 1 tbsp of the oil add water and lentils, and boil until lentils are tender, but still a little firm.
- Add the rice, salt and pepper.
- Bring to a boil again.
- Lower the heat and simmer until the water is absorbed.
- Serve hot or cold.
Tips:
- Use a variety of lentils. Different lentils have different flavors and textures. Using a mix of lentils will create a more complex and interesting pilaf.
- Rinse the lentils before cooking. This will remove any dirt or debris.
- Cook the lentils in vegetable broth. This will add flavor to the pilaf.
- Sauté the vegetables before adding them to the lentils. This will help to bring out their flavor.
- Use a good quality rice. A long-grain rice, such as basmati or jasmine, will work best in this recipe.
- Toast the rice before cooking it. This will give it a nutty flavor.
- Let the pilaf rest before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the pilaf with your favorite toppings. Some popular options include yogurt, raita, and chutney.
Conclusion:
Lentil and rice pilaf is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its combination of lentils, rice, vegetables, and spices, this pilaf is a healthy and flavorful dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.
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