Rice Lentil And Spinach Pilaf Food

ONE-POT LENTILS & RICE WITH SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until starting to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic, cumin, salt, bay leaves, pepper and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add rice and stir to coat. Add water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Add lentils, cover and cook until the rice and lentils are tender and most of the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes more.
• Remove from heat and gently stir in spinach. Place a clean dish towel over the saucepan and replace the lid. Let stand for 10 minutes (the towel will absorb the steam). Stir in vinegar and remove bay leaves before serving. Garnish with scallions and cilantro, if desired.

RICE, LENTIL, AND SPINACH PILAF

Steps:

• Place lentils in saucepan and cover with cold water.
• Bring to boil, reduce heat and cover.
• Simmer for 25 to 40 minutes, until tender but not mushy; drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, bring the rice and 2 cups of water to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer rice about 20 minutes, covered, until all liquid is absorbed; set aside.
• Bring the vegetable stock to a boil in a saucepan.
• Add onions and simmer until tender and translucent, approx 10 minutes.
• Add the garlic, celery, cumin and cinnamon and simmer for 5 minutes longer.
• Add the lentils and lemon zest (and tomatoes, if desired); heat through.
• Add the greens; cook and stir until tender.
• Fold the lentil and greens mixture into the rice.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Note: You may make this ahead of time and place in a baking pan, cover with foil, and warm in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

SPINACH PILAF

Steps:

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Saute spinach with salt just until leaves are wilted. Drain off excess liquid; reserve spinach.
• Wipe out skillet and melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Saute onion until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low, add cumin, cardamom, coriander and turmeric and stir to combine. Add cooked rice, tomatoes and reserved spinach and cook, stirring gently to combine, just until the rice is warmed through.

INSTANT POT MIDDLE EASTERN LENTILS WITH RICE, LEEKS, AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Using the sauté function, heat the oil in the pressure cooker pot. Stir in the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are dark golden at the edges, about 10 minutes.Season with a pinch of salt. Use a slotted spoon to scoop out half the leeks and transfer to a bowl; set aside for the garnish.
• Stir the garlic into the pot and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Stir in the cumin, allspice, and cayenne and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add the lentils, 2 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, the bay leaf, and cinnamon stick to the pot.
• Lock the lid into place and cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then manually release the remaining pressure.
• Uncover the pot and stir in the rice, working quickly so the lentil mixture stays hot. Lock the lid back into place and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Manually release the pressure.
• Uncover and stir in the spinach. Cover the pot with the lid (but don't lock it on) and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to wilt the greens and finish cooking the rice.
• In a small bowl, season the yogurt with salt to taste.
• Discard the bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Serve the lentils warm, garnished with the reserved leeks and salted yogurt on top, and drizzled with more olive oil.

QUINOA AND LENTIL PILAF

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-low heat in a large nonstick skillet and add onion. Cook, stirring, until tender and just beginning to color, 5 to 8 minutes. Add a generous pinch of salt and garlic and continue to cook, stirring, until garlic is fragrant, another 30 seconds to a minute. Add remaining oil and stir in quinoa and lentils. Add herbs and pepper, stir together, taste and adjust salt. Remove from heat and serve, adding a squeeze of lemon to each serving.