Lebanese Caramelised Rice & Lentils Recipe

Ingredients

4 onions
2 garlic cloves
2 carrots
300g runner beans
1 tbsp turmeric
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tbsp Demerara sugar
500g white basmati rice
400g spinach
400g tin of green lentils
Sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 ltr boiling water

Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 25-30 mins

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Method

1. Peel and finely slice the onions. Peel and finely grate the garlic cloves. Peel and coarsely grate the carrots. Trim and finely slice the runner beans.

2. Pour 1 tbsp oil into a large pan and bring it to a high temperature. Slide in the onions and fry for 5-6 mins, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelised around the edges.

3. Use a slotted spoon to remove the onions from the pan and transfer to a side plate. Reduce the heat under the pan to medium and add the garlic, 1 tbsp each turmeric, cinnamon, cumin seeds and sugar, and the carrots to the empty pan. Fry for 3 mins, stirring every so often.

4. Tip in the rice and cover with 1ltr of boiling water. Stir to combine, then pop a lid on the pan and bring to the boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer and cook for 8 mins, then remove from the heat and allow to steam for 5 mins.

5. Shred the spinach leaves. Drain the lentils through a sieve and give them a good rinse.

6. Stir the runner beans, spinach, lentils and cooked onions through the rice. Return to a low heat and cook for a further 4-5 mins, stirring occasionally, until the spinach and beans are cooked. Ladle into bowls and serve.