Lentil Pilaf

Submitted by Cypriot Cook

"A healthy mediterranean recipe from Cyprus, requiring only lentils, rice, onions, oil and vinegar."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 20mins
• Ingredients: 8
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 2 cups lentils, washed thoroughly
• 8 cups water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup rice, washed thoroughly
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
• 1⁄4 cup vinegar (balsamic perhaps) (optional)

directions

1. Clean the lentils with fresh cold water to avoid foaming when cooking.
2. Mix 2 cups of lentils with the 8 cups of water and 1 tablespoon of salt.
3. Heat on high, uncovered for approximately 30 minutes, mixing slightly every 10 minutes, removing any foam that may have come up.
4. After the lentils turn tender and soft (not melted), make sure there is only about 2 cups of water remaining (add or remove water).
5. Add the half cup of rice. Cook for 10 mins at medium fire.
6. Simultaneously with the rice, fry the chopped cup of onion in the olive oil and vegetable oil until golden brown (should be about 10 minutes).
7. After the 10 minutes pass, slowly pour the oil and onion over the lentils and rice. Lower the heat to Low, and let it lay for 10 minutes (do NOT mix).
8. After the 10 minutes pass, add the quarter cup of vinegar and mix everything.
9. Cover with a thick clean kitchen towel and leave covered for about 10 minutes.
10. After the 15 minutes pass, you should have a thick pilaf of lentils and rice, with onions showing up here and there.

Reviews

[Pocketfluff]

Very authentic Greek Cypriot dish! Delicious, healthy and a cheap filling meal. My 2 year old loves this! I start cooking the onions before I start anything else as I like them to get nice and caramellized. I add a pinch of sugar the the onions which helps bring the sweetness out

 

[vanettenk]

Delicious! I cut the salt and oil in half.

 

[katsonis]

Recipe right on. I prefer to use less oil. When my mom makes it she also add some tomato sauce along with the rice.

 

[ppellz20]

This is by far my favorite lentil recipe. I was hesitant about the vinegar, but it's absolutely delicious.

 

[BarnArch]

Great thanks. Completely different from what I'm use to but Mr also ate and asked for more! Will make again. Even better the follwing day.