Lebanese Lentils Rice Dish (Print Version)

A comforting blend of lentils, rice, and spiced caramelized onions delivering hearty, wholesome flavors.

# Ingredient List:

→ Lentils and Rice

01 - 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed
02 - ¾ cup long-grain rice (basmati), rinsed
03 - 4 cups water or low-sodium vegetable broth
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - ½ teaspoon ground allspice
07 - ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1 bay leaf
09 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Caramelized Onions

11 - 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
12 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
13 - Pinch of salt

# Recipe Steps:

01 - Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add rinsed lentils and bay leaf; sauté while stirring for 2 minutes.
02 - Add 4 cups of water or vegetable broth to the lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
03 - In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat. Add thinly sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Cook while stirring frequently for 25–30 minutes until golden and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
04 - To the simmering lentils, add rinsed rice, ground cumin, allspice, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine.
05 - Cover the saucepan and simmer over low heat for 20–25 minutes, or until rice and lentils are tender and liquid absorbed; add a splash of water if necessary.
06 - Discard bay leaf and fluff the mixture with a fork. Adjust seasoning to taste. Spoon into serving bowls and top generously with caramelized onions. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a complete meal that feels indulgent but costs almost nothing and takes barely an hour.
  • The caramelized onions transform something humble into pure comfort, and once you taste them this way, you'll make them for everything.
02 -
  • The caramelized onions are not a garnish—they're the soul of the dish, so don't skimp on time or heat; rushing them defeats the purpose entirely.
  • Rinsing your rice and lentils removes surface starch that would otherwise make everything gummy, and this small step changes everything.
03 -
  • Toast your spices gently in the pan with the lentils before adding liquid if you have a moment; it wakes them up and makes them taste fresher.
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the finished bowl brightens everything without changing what the dish is.
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