Lentils are arguably the oldest cultivated legume, and this recipe for lentils with rice is a classic originating from the Arab world, with regional variations that make it flavorful, healthy, and budget-friendly.
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How to make Lentils with Rice?
A simple, straightforward, and delicious dish, rice with lentils can be seasoned and accompanied by various additional ingredients such as bell peppers, potatoes, sausage, and colored chili.
Nutritional Information
Category: Main Dishes
Cuisine: Chilena
Calories: 400
Vitamins: A, B1, B3, B6, C, E
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus
Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Chilean Rice with Lentils recipe
Ingredients
- 200 g lentils
- 75 g rice
- 1 large onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 tomato
- 1 carrot
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 potato
- 1 chorizo sausage
- 1 tablespoon colored chili
- 1 bay leaf
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Preparation
- Soak the lentils overnight, at least 12 hours, and remove any residue. Rinse in cold water and set aside.
- Chop the tomato, bell pepper, garlic, and onion; gather everything in a large pot.
- Peel and chop the potato into medium-sized pieces. Add it to the pot along with the chopped carrot, bay leaf, colored chili, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, the chorizo washed and pricked with a fork, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Add the washed lentils to the pot and cover everything with cold water. Heat on high until it boils, reduce to medium heat, cover, and cook for about 30 minutes. Add the rice, stir to integrate, and continue cooking for another 15 minutes or until the lentils and rice are well-cooked. Check and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Serve the lentils with rice immediately, crowned with sliced chorizo and chopped fresh parsley.
Tips for cooking lentils
If you haven’t soaked the lentils and want to cook them in a pressure cooker, cook for about 20 minutes from the beginning of boiling.
Benefits of consuming lentils
- Lentils are a good source of plant-based proteins, especially beneficial for people following vegetarian or vegan diets as they can help meet their protein needs.
- They contain a significant amount of dietary fiber, both soluble and insoluble, which helps promote digestive health, prevent constipation, and can aid in maintaining a healthy weight.
Did you know?
Lentils are rich in folic acid, highly recommended for consumption by pregnant women, helping prevent issues with the placenta and fetus.
