Indian Lentil Pilaf
"From the November/December 2006 Vegetarian Times. I made this without oil, and it worked great. This makes a ton."
photo by Outta Here
- Ready In:
- 1hr 5mins
- Ingredients:
- 11
- Serves:
-
6
ingredients
- 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed and sorted
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 1/3 cups)
- 2 large carrots, diced (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup brown basmati rice
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 Tbsp)
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 1⁄3 teaspoons garam masala
- 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can of fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
- cilantro (to garnish) (optional)
directions
- Bring lentils and 4 cups water to a boil in large pot or Dutch oven.
- Reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 minutes, or until lentils are firm-tender.
- Drain, reserving 3/4 cup of the cooking water, and transfer lentils to a bowl.
- Wipe out the pot and heat the oil over medium high. Sauté the onion in the oil 4 minutes, or until just golden.
- Add carrots and rice and cook 3 minutes, or until rice is toasted and fragrant, stirring constantly.
- Add garlic, ginger and garam masala and cook 1 minute more.
- Stir in tomatoes, broth, reserved lentil water and lentils and bring to a boil.
- Cover, reduce heat to low and cook for 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and cover, let stand 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork, then spoon pilaf into shallow bowls, and garnish with cilantro, if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy.
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Reviews
-
This was a yummy basic recipe that really hit the spot tonight. The flavors are simple but full...though I will say that I was very generous with the garlic, ginger, and garam masala. I didn't have brown basmati so I subbed long grain brown rice, which worked fine but I'd love to try basmati. I, too, skipped some of the oil; I used 1 T of coconut oil and it was plenty. The rice was a bit al dente after the stated cooktime, but that could be due to my sub. I wasn't sure if I should drain the tomatoes so I didn't, and I'm glad because I had just enough cooking liquid for a few extra minutes to let the rice finish cooking. I'll definitely come back to this one, no question. Thanks for posting! Made for Veg*n Swap #9. -
I am rating this 4 stars for flavor but I had trouble with the cooking times. My rice was still not done after 35 minutes. I had to add extra liquid. I think I would not add the cooked lentils until the rice is done. They soaked up the liquid, leaving the rice very "al dente". And yes, it does make a ton, as stated. I am going to add the leftovers to a soup. For the garam masala, I used Recipe #239208 -
I loved this and yes, it does make a ton! I have enough left for two more meals!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
<p>I live with my hubby and three feline children in Oakland by Lake Merritt. <br /> <br /> <br />My rating system: <br />5 stars if the recipe works without having to make changes (my own subs just for personal preference do not count) <br />*New Rule: If hubby says "mmmm" or "this is good" without me asking if he likes it, it automatically gets five stars <br />4 stars if the recipe needs a minimal amount of changing because the recipe does not work the way it was written or if overall it just didn't WOW me. <br />3 stars and below if the recipe just does not work or if the instructions are not written clearly enough to make it. <br /> <br />Please know that I will change your recipe to fit my diet. I mean no disrespect, but since I have to diet I have to do it. I refuse to limit myself to recipes that already fit my diet and like the challenge of changing already existing recipes to be healthier. I will leave out the oil, leave out or replace the cheese and milk with a non-dairy alternative, and use whole grains. I will also leave out meat and broth and choose vegetarian, low sodium versions/alternatives. I still rate recipes that I make these changes to. <br /> <br />But, if I use a recipe as inspiration only- meaning I got a great idea from it but changed it all around- I generally will not give any stars but will put a little note stating what I did. I love to give credit where credit is due. <br /> <br />I don't deduct stars if I personally do not like an ingredient in the recipe. I don't make recipes that I think that I won't like, which is why you will probably notice that most of my ratings are pretty high. I think it is silly that people choose to make recipes that include ingredients that they don't like then rate them poorly saying "I don't care for..." Anyway, you get the idea. <br /> <br />I've participated in <br /> <br /><img src="http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m445/mliss29/vegnswap1/group04cherry.jpg" alt="" /> <br /> <br /><img src="http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m445/mliss29/vegnswap1/group09okra.jpg" alt="" /> <br /><img src="http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m445/mliss29/vegnswap2/group02banana.jpg" alt="" /> <br /> <br /><img src="http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m445/mliss29/vegnswap2/group12starfruit.jpg" alt="" /></p>
