Caramelized Onions and Lentil Rice

Super easy and tasty dish that's also inexpensive. From Ingrid Hoffman at Food Network.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1  teaspoon sugar
•  kosher  salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  cups long-grain white rice
• 1  quart water
• 1 (15 1/2ounce) can lentils, drained and rinsed
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions

1. Melt the butter with the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, sugar, and some salt and pepper. Cook until the onions become deep brown and sticky, about 20 minutes, stirring every 4 or 5 minutes (if the onions color too quickly, reduce the heat to medium-low).
2. While the onions caramelize, make the rice. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the rice and stir, cooking it until the grains begin to turn opaque, about 2 minutes. Add the water, lentils, and cumin; season with salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the rice is tender and has absorbed all of the liquid, about 20 minutes. Serve topped with the caramelized onions.