Caramelized Onions and Lentil Rice
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 4
Nutritional Information per Serving (1 of 4 servings): Calories 585, Total Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Carbohydrates 105 g, Dietary Fiber 10 g, Sugar 4 g, Protein 17 g, Cholesterol 8 mg, Sodium 1130 mg
Total time: 55 minutes
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups long-grain white rice
- 1 quart water
- 1 (15.5-ounce) can lentils, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the sliced onion, sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring every 45 minutes, until the onions are deeply browned and sticky, about 20 minutes; reduce heat to medium-low if they brown too quickly.
- While the onions caramelize, warm the remaining tablespoon of oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the rice and stir to coat, cooking until the grains look slightly opaque, about 2 minutes.
- Pour in the water, then stir in the lentils and cumin. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
- Serve the lentil rice topped with the caramelized onions.
Note: Adjust seasoning to taste; for extra flavor, finish with a squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs.
