Nika's Culinaria - Eat With Your Eyes

I love lentils. These little turtles of mellow flavor can help to boost the protein in a vegetarian meal. They are easy to cook and can be used in so many ways, lending flavor profiles beyond "the usual". I find myself wanting to eat these in combination with rice and certain spices, such as turmeric. Today, I brought these together with a hankering I had for onions and made the following recipe. Try it out, its easily made in the rice cooker (like I did).

Lentils and Rice

Ingredients:

1/2 large white onion, small dice
3 T olive oil
2 T butter
1 T turmeric
1/3 C raisins
1 tsp salt
1 C dried lentils
3 C white rice
7 C water or stock



Directions:

Saute the onions on medium low heat in the turmeric, olive oil and butter. When almost translucent, add lentils, raisins, and salt. Saute on medium low for 7-10 minutes.



Add water, rice, and sauteed mixture to the rice cooker and turn on. Enjoy!

Served here with spinach wilted in olive oil, black sesame seeds, a dash of Japanese gomaiso (sesame seed and seaweed mix), and a drizzle of roasted sesame seed oil.