Spiced Middle Eastern Rice & Lentil Delight

Middle Eastern Rice and Lentils Recipe

Overview:

This Middle Eastern Rice and Lentils recipe is a protein-rich dish that not only adds a flavorful accent to broiled or grilled lamb chops or steaks but also stands as a hearty and satisfying meal on its own. Bursting with aromatic spices like cinnamon, cumin, and cloves, this dish embodies the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine. It’s versatile enough to be enjoyed fresh or as leftover creations, such as an easy luncheon salad or stuffed peppers.

Recipe Information:

• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings
• Rating: 5 stars
• Review Count: 16

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 ½ cups chicken broth (for a vegetarian/vegan option, substitute vegetable broth)
• ¾ cup white rice
• ¾ cup dried lentils
• 1 baking potato, peeled and diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup frozen green peas

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 419.3
• Fat: 5.5g
• Saturated Fat: 0.9g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 722.2mg
• Carbohydrates: 77.3g
• Fiber: 12.8g
• Sugar: 17.4g
• Protein: 16.4g

Instructions:

1. In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it’s crisp-tender, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes.

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2. Pour in the chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian/vegan option) and add the white rice, dried lentils, diced potato, diced carrot, raisins, ground black pepper, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, and ground cloves.

3. Allow the mixture to simmer until the rice and lentils are almost tender, approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Stir in the diced red bell pepper and frozen green peas, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

5. Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice and lentils are fully cooked.

6. Once cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the dish stand for 5 minutes before serving.

7. Optionally, use the rice mixture to make stuffed peppers by filling hollowed-out peppers with the rice mixture and pouring canned spaghetti sauce over them. Bake the stuffed peppers covered for about 45 to 60 minutes.

8. Leftover rice can also be repurposed to make veggie burgers.

9. Serve and enjoy this flavorful Middle Eastern dish!

Tips:

• For a vegan or vegetarian version of this dish, simply substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
• Customize the dish to your taste by adjusting the amount of spices used or adding your favorite vegetables.
• This dish pairs wonderfully with grilled or roasted meats, or can be enjoyed on its own as a satisfying vegetarian meal.
• Experiment with different variations, such as using brown rice or adding nuts for extra texture and flavor.

Conclusion:

With its aromatic spices and wholesome ingredients, this Middle Eastern Rice and Lentils dish is a delightful addition to any mealtime repertoire. Whether enjoyed fresh or repurposed into creative leftover dishes like stuffed peppers or veggie burgers, it’s sure to satisfy both your taste buds and your appetite. Embrace the flavors of the Middle East with this hearty and nutritious recipe!