Pakistani Rice with Lentils and Nut Sauce

Carol Bullock's Note:

This is a savory yet refreshing dish that I promise you won't be able to get enough of. It's addictive I warn you!

• Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 10

• 2 cups dark, round, small lentils
• 1/2 cup white poppy seeds
• 1 cup cashews
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 1 seeded jalapeno pepper
• 4 cloves garlic (or as much as you can handle)
• salt
• 4 chopped green onions
• 1 bunch chopped cilantro
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• vegetable oil
• basmati rice

Directions:

1. Rinse and cook lentils in plenty of water.
2. Let reduce until there is about 4 cups of liquid leftover.
3. Drain lentils, reserving liquid.
4. Set liquid aside.
5. In the meantime, in a skillet, lightly toast, one by one (just until you can smell them): poppy seeds, cashews and almonds.
6. Put in blender.
7. Add jalapeno pepper, garlic, and salt.
8. Gradually add leftover lentil liquid (should be dark brown after reducing for at least an hour) and puree this mixture.
9. Puree until smooth and pour into bowl.
10. Add to this the green onions and cilantro.
11. Next, sauté the onions in vegetable oil until golden.
12. Add lentils and sauté for another 15 minutes.
13. Cover over very low heat and let marinate.
14. Cook basmati rice.
15. Then, in a large pot, layer rice and lentil mixture.
16. Let marinate and simmer over very low heat for about 1 hour (I usually put a dishtowel under lid to trap steam).
17. Serve, topping with liquid mixture, and adding liquid mixture as you go.

Reviews

[Norahs Girl]

This was absolutely delicious!

[sophia_cat]

This was a great dish!!! The directions were a little confusing and vague, but I think Ill do better the next round. I reserved some of the sliced almonds and cilantro springs to sprinkle on the top for a nice touch.

[Kathy228]

Carol, this was very good. The quantity on some of the ingredients were vague so I guessed, and I must have guessed right because it turned out delicious. Though I cut the recipe in half, it still yielded a lot - a whole recipe must feed an army. I love the nut sauce but will add more jalapenos next time. Thanks for sharing this tasty rice dish.