Best 4 Caramelized Onion And Lentil Pilaf Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Indulge in a culinary journey with our tantalizing Caramelized Onion and Lentil Pilaf, a symphony of flavors that will delight your taste buds. This delectable dish combines the sweet and savory notes of caramelized onions with the earthy goodness of lentils, creating a harmonious blend that is sure to impress. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, our recipe caters to both novice and experienced cooks.

Accompanying this main course are two equally enticing recipes. For a refreshing side dish, our Crunchy Asian Slaw offers a crisp and vibrant contrast to the hearty pilaf. With its mix of shredded cabbage, carrots, and a tangy dressing, this slaw is a delightful accompaniment that adds a pop of color and freshness to your meal.

And to satisfy your sweet cravings, our Decadent Chocolate Avocado Mousse is the perfect ending to your culinary adventure. This luscious dessert combines the richness of chocolate with the creaminess of avocado, resulting in a velvety smooth mousse that is both indulgent and surprisingly healthy.

These three recipes, when combined, create a complete and unforgettable dining experience that will leave you and your guests wanting more. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your kitchen, and embark on a culinary adventure that promises to tantalize your senses and leave you craving for more.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

LENTIL RICE PILAF WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS (MUJADARA)



Lentil Rice Pilaf with Caramelized Onions (Mujadara) image

A warm and comforting lentil rice pilaf with caramelized onions. This pilaf is known as 'mujadara' in the middle east and is vegan-friendly and perfect as a side for holidays or weeknight dinners!

Provided by Marzia

Categories     30 Minute Meals

Time 55m

Number Of Ingredients 10

2/3 cup brown lentils, rinsed
1 cup basmati rice
6 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium onions, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
3/4 teaspoon of ground allspice
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon EACH: sugar AND salt

Steps:

  • prep the ingredients: Add the lentils into a small saucepan and add water until the lentils are covered by at least 2 inches. Cook the lentils over medium-high heat until almost tender, about 15-18 minutes. Drain; set aside. Soak the rice in a bowl of cold water for 20 minutes while you caramelize the onions.
  • onions: Add the olive oil into a deep, thick-bottomed pot (with a lid), like a dutch oven. Heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once it's hot, add the onions and stir them around to coat with the oil. Set a timer for 20 minutes and cook the onions for a total of 18-22 minutes, stirring often, or until the onions are a deep orange or brown color. If the onions start to brown before the 10-minute mark, lower the heat. Ideally, they should start developing color around 12-15 minutes. And from that point on, you'll need to stir the onions often so that they don't burn. Remove the onions to a plate lined with a paper towel.
  • rice pilaf: Drain the soaked rice thoroughly and add it to the oil remaining in the pot (if you have less than a tablespoon, add a little more). Sauté the rice in the remaining oil for 2 minutes. Add the lentils to the pot and season with the cumin, coriander, turmeric, allspice, cinnamon, sugar, and salt. Add 1 1/2 cups of water and let the water come to a rolling boil, cover, lower the heat to the lowest setting, and let cook for 15 minutes. Remove the pot from the stove. Grab a piece of paper towel large enough to cover the pot. Add the caramelized onions to the top of the rice and place the paper towel flat on the pot before placing the lid on top. Let sit for 10 minutes (your stove should be off at this point). Fluff and mix in the onions before serving.

CARAMELIZED BEET-LENTIL PILAF



Caramelized Beet-Lentil Pilaf image

Simple, affordable, and a complete protein-there's a reason why rice and legumes are a staple meal in so many different cultures. Here, tender white rice and quick-cooking lentils make a hearty and satisfying vegetarian bowl. To dress things up and deepen the flavor, quick-cooking grated beets were caramelized and then simmered them with the grain mixture, and it's all topped off with a dollop of creamy yogurt and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper.

Provided by Shira Bocar

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Time 1h15m

Number Of Ingredients 9

3/4 cup brown lentils, rinsed
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 medium golden beet, greens and stems chopped, root peeled and coarsely grated
Kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup long-grain white rice
Yogurt, for serving
Aleppo pepper, for serving

Steps:

  • Add lentils to a small saucepan and cover with 3 inches of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and partially cover. Cook until lentils are almost tender, 10 to 12 minutes; drain.
  • In a large straight-sided skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, grated beets, and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Add 1 teaspoon salt, cumin, and rice and cook until rice looks opaque, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 cups water and lentils and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until rice is crisp-tender, 15 minutes.
  • Uncover and top with beet greens. Cover and cook until greens are bright green and tender, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Serve with yogurt, Aleppo pepper, and a drizzle of oil.

NIGELLA LAWSON CARAMELIZED ONION & LENTIL PILAF



Nigella Lawson Caramelized Onion & Lentil Pilaf image

Came across this recipe on nytimes.com in an article written by the Kitchen Goddess herself: Nigella Lawson. Haven't tried it yet, but I thought I'd share this. I'm drooling over the thought of it! :) I did omit the ghee to make it healthier.

Provided by nomnom

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 40m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced into half-moons
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 cloves
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
4 dried curry leaves (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
fresh ground black pepper
1 cup green lentil (french green is suggested)
1 cup basmati rice

Steps:

  • In a large heavy-based saucepan, heat over medium heat.
  • Add onion slices, and sauté until softened and deep golden brown.
  • Remove half the onions and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and add turmeric, cumin, coriander, cloves, mustard seeds and curry leaves.
  • Add salt, and season with black pepper to taste.
  • Combine lentils and rice in a fine-meshed sieve, and rinse well with cold water.
  • Drain, then add to pan.
  • Add 4 cups water, raise heat, and bring to a boil.
  • Cover, reduce heat to very low, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Water should be completely absorbed; if not, remove pan from heat, remove lid and cover pan with a kitchen towel, then replace lid and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
  • To serve, fluff pilaf with a fork, and transfer to a serving bowl.
  • Garnish with reserved onions.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 238.9, Fat 1.5, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 780.6, Carbohydrate 45.4, Fiber 11.3, Sugar 1.7, Protein 11.1

CARAMELIZED ONION AND LENTIL PILAF



Caramelized Onion and Lentil Pilaf image

Back in 2003, Nigella Lawson brought to The Times a recipe for chicken and apricot masala, and with it, she paired this dish, a caramelized onion and lentil pilaf. "The sweet smokiness of scorched onion and the depth of spicing you get from cumin, coriander and cloves more than balances out the rich texture of the rice studded with lentils and mustard seeds," she wrote. "This dish is robust and earthy ballast. I might even have it by itself for supper, with no more than a salad of diced cucumber, dressed with yogurt and dried mint, on the side." Perhaps you should do the same.

Provided by Nigella Lawson

Categories     dinner, main course, side dish

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) or vegetable oil
1 onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced into half-moons
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
2 cloves
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
4 dried curry leaves (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
Black pepper
1 cup French green lentils
1 cup basmati rice

Steps:

  • In a large heavy-based saucepan, heat ghee over medium heat. Add onion slices, and sauté until softened and deep golden brown. Remove half the onions and set aside.
  • Reduce heat to medium-low and add turmeric, cumin, coriander, cloves, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Add salt, and season with black pepper to taste.
  • Combine lentils and rice in a fine-meshed sieve, and rinse well with cold water. Drain, then add to pan. Add 4 cups water, raise heat, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to very low, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Water should be completely absorbed; if not, remove pan from heat, remove lid and cover pan with a kitchen towel, then replace lid and allow to stand for 10 minutes.
  • To serve, fluff pilaf with a fork, and transfer to a serving bowl. Garnish with reserved onions.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 300, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 11 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 214 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Tips:

  • Use a large skillet or Dutch oven to cook the onions, as they will release a lot of liquid.
  • Cook the onions over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until they are deeply caramelized and have turned a rich brown color. This may take 30 minutes or more.
  • Use a variety of lentils in your pilaf. This will give the dish a more complex flavor and texture.
  • Rinse the lentils well before cooking them.
  • Add some vegetables to your pilaf, such as carrots, celery, or peas.
  • Season the pilaf with your favorite herbs and spices. Some good options include cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
  • Serve the pilaf with a dollop of yogurt or raita.

Conclusion:

Caramelized onion and lentil pilaf is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover lentils. The caramelized onions add a sweet and savory flavor to the pilaf, while the lentils add protein and fiber. This dish is also a good source of vitamins and minerals.

Related Topics