Easy One Pot Lentils and Rice

Submitted by Chef #1082457

"I made this for dinner tonight, and the whole family loved it. I make lentils and rice quite often in a million and one different ways, and never with a recipe, but decided to post this one for safe keeping so that I can make it this way again. I served this as a rice ring (with easy glazed carrots and raisins in the middle). I had no onions on hand, but this would be excellent with carmelized onions on top. You may need to use a little more or less water depending on the age of your lentils. I used 6 1/2 cups, and it was perfect. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did!"

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 1 cup dry green lentils
• 6 1⁄2 cups water
• 4 -5 garlic cloves
• 1 -2 bay leaf
• 1⁄2 tablespoon cumin seed
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1⁄2 - 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

directions

1. Cover the lentils with the water.
2. Peel and crush the garlic cloves lightly with the back of a knife. Leave the cloves whole, so that they flavor the dish but can be removed if desired. (I leave them out of the kids' portions, and give them to my DH and myself).
3. Add garlic to the pot, along with the bay leaves, cumin seeds and cinnamon. (DO NOT add salt at this point, as lentils will not cook properly).
4. Bring to a boil. Cook at a boil until the lentils are just tender. This should take about 25 minutes, but may take longer dependig on the age of your lentils.
5. Add the rice, salt and olive oil, and bring back to a boil.
6. Stir, cover pot, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes.
7. Check to make sure the rice is done, adjust seasonings, and serve. If there is still too much liquid in the pan, just let it sit uncovered for a few minutes.
8. Enjoy!

Reviews

[Leni D.]

I followed the recipe. I used wild rice and added allspice and tumeric omitting cumin and cinamon. It tasted amazing and went well with my vegan patties and salad. This was amazing !! I'm going to make this again !

 

[kaitlin]

I really like this recipe, but I think 1.5 Tablespoons is too much. I reduced it the first time but forgot the second time! Maybe 1.5 teaspoons would work better - still need to test this though. Edit: Either I was really tired last time, or the recipe has been changed to show 0.5- 1 Tbsp - likely the former! I agree with the stated salt amount. Fantastic and simple recipe! Had some sun-dried tomatoes on hand and put them in halfway through boiling the lentils - tasted great!

 

[Anonymous]

Simple, easy and definitely tasty . This is my go to recipe for lentils and rice

 

[Neal A.]

Really good. I used red lentils that I bought a few days ago. I thought that they were tender enough after 20 minutes of boiling.

 

[UmmBinat]

Yummy!! I used brown lentils & sea salt instead.