Rice and Lentils - A Persian dish!

Lentils are packed with nutrients, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and folic acid. Lentils are a low calorie, low fat and cholesterol free food as well as being inexpensive.

This recipe uses red meat but if you're vegetarian you can always make it without the meat.

Ingredients:


0.5 pounds of beef or lamb cut in 1 inch cubes (or ground beef)
0.5 pounds of lentils
1 medium onion thinly sliced
1 cup raisins
1 tea spoon garlic

3 cups Basmati Rice (use brown rice to make it healthy!)1/2 tea spoon saffron (optional)salt, pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, oil, butter

Directions:

Cook lentils for 15 to 20 minutes in three cups water until tender. Set aside.

In a medium pot, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Add half the sliced onion and stir-fry for 5 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and meat and stir-fry for about 5 minutes longer. Add salt, pepper, turmeric, and cinnamon and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes over low heat. Set aside.

In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons butter (or oil to make it healthier) over medium heat. Add the remaining onion and fry stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Add the raisins, and stir-fry 2 to 3 minutes longer; set aside.

In a large nonstick pot, bring 8 cups of water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil. Add the rice to the pot and continue boiling for about 8-10 minutes (on medium heat) or until rice slightly softens (The grains should be firm in the center and rather soft on the outside). Gently stir occasionally with a wooden spoon to loosen any grains that stick to the bottom. Strain the rice and rinse with warm water.

Return the rinsed out pot to the heat and add a bit of oil. Add rice. Another option is to add sliced potatoes. Cover the pot and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes. If cooking time is increased, a delicious crispy layer of rice (or potatoes) (called ta-dig) will form at the bottom of the pan.

"Potato ta-dig"

another picture of potato tadig

Dissolve saffron in 1/3 cup of hot water. Set aside.

Layer rice, lentils, meat and raisins into a suitable dish. Garnish with saffron.

Serve with your favorite salad!