Friday, June 22, 2012

Lebanese Rice Pilaf with Blackened Onions

This is an easy, fantastic and flavorful way to enjoy the benefits of protein. Mdardara or lentils with rice is a vegetarian Lebanese dish, but it’s not just plain rice and lentils.

Ingredients

  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 2 (14 ounce) cans vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup dried lentils, rinsed, picked over
  • 3/4 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 large onions, sliced
  • 3 tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
  • 1 cucumber, peeled, cut into rounds
  • plain yogurt
  • chopped fresh mint

Directions:
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.
Serve

Visit us here for more! 

1 comment: