{"slug":"lebanese-lentils-and-rice-with-crisped-onions","collection":"recipes","is_recipe":true,"visibility":"public","title":"Lebanese Lentils and Rice with Crisped Onions","description":"Tender brown lentils and basmati rice simmered with warm spices, topped with deeply caramelized crispy onions and fresh scallions.","body_md":"\n## Source\n\nMilk Street, May 2019\n\n## Special Equipment\n\n-   Large dutch oven\n-   12\" skillet\n-   A paper-towel-lined plate\n-   Kitchen towel\n\n## Ingredients\n\n-   1200ml (5 cups) water\n-   4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled\n-   4 bay leaves\n-   2 ½ teaspoons ground cumin\n-   ½ teaspoons ground allspice\n-   1 tablespoon salt\n-   ¼ teaspoon salt\n-   1 teaspoon ground black Pepper\n-   240ml (1 cup) brown lentils, rinsed and drained\n-   240ml (1 cup) basmati rice, rinsed and drained\n-   80ml (⅓ cup) extra-virgin olive oil\n-   2 medium yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced\n-   1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced\n\n## Preparation\n\n### Water and Spices\n\n1.  In a large Dutch oven over **medium-high**, combine:\n    -   1200ml (5 cups) water\n    -   garlic\n    -   bay leaves\n    -   cumin\n    -   allspice\n    -   salt\n    -   pepper\n\n### Add Lentils\n\n1.  Bring to a boil, then add **lentils**.\n2.  Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally and\n    adjusting heat to maintain a **simmer** until lentils are softened\n    but still quite firm at the center- about **10 minutes**.\n\n### Add Rice\n\n1.  Stir in rice, return to a **simmer**.\n2.  Cover, reduce heat to **medium-low** and cook until the liquid is\n    absorbed and the lentils and rice are tender- about **25 minutes**.\n\n### Meanwhile, cook onions\n\n1.  In a 12\" skillet, heat **oil** until shimmering.\n2.  Add **onions** and cook, stirring occasionally at first and then\n    more frequently once browning begins, until the onions are deeply\n    caramelized and crisped- about **10 to 15 minutes**.\n3.  Using a slotted spoon, transfer the onions to a paper-towel-lined\n    plate, spread thin and evenly.\n4.  Sprinkle with **¼ teaspoon salt** and set aside.\n\n### Finish\n\n1.  Once the lentils and rice are tender, remove from heat, uncover, lay\n    a kitchen towel over the pot, and place the cover over the towel for\n    **10 minutes**.\n2.  Remove cover and towel, fluff with a fork.\n3.  Discard bay leaves.\n4.  Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.\n5.  Stir in half the **scallions**.\n6.  Transfer to a serving bowl.\n7.  Top with the **onions** and remaining **scallions**.\n8.  Serve.\n","draft":false,"servings":"4","prep_time":"10 minutes","cook_time":"50 minutes","total_time":"1 hour","source_name":"Milk Street, May 2019","created_at":"2019-03-03T22:40:15Z","categories":["Side Dish"],"tags":["Lentils","Onions","Rice"],"methods":["Stove-Top"],"themes":["Lebanese","Vegan"],"ingredients":[{"section":"","items":["-   1200ml (5 cups) water","-   4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled","-   4 bay leaves","-   2 ½ teaspoons ground cumin","-   ½ teaspoons ground allspice","-   1 tablespoon salt","-   ¼ teaspoon salt","-   1 teaspoon ground black Pepper","-   240ml (1 cup) brown lentils, rinsed and drained","-   240ml (1 cup) basmati rice, rinsed and drained","-   80ml (⅓ cup) extra-virgin olive oil","-   2 medium yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced","-   1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced"],"parsed":[{"raw":"-   1200ml (5 cups) water","qty":1200,"unit":"ml","item":"water"},{"raw":"-   4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled","qty":4,"unit":"clove","item":"garlic","prep":"smashed and peeled"},{"raw":"-   4 bay leaves","qty":4,"item":"bay leaves"},{"raw":"-   2 ½ teaspoons ground cumin","qty":2,"item":"½ teaspoons ground cumin"},{"raw":"-   ½ teaspoons ground allspice","qty":0.5,"unit":"tsp","item":"ground allspice"},{"raw":"-   1 tablespoon salt","qty":1,"unit":"tbsp","item":"salt"},{"raw":"-   ¼ teaspoon salt","qty":0.25,"unit":"tsp","item":"salt"},{"raw":"-   1 teaspoon ground black Pepper","qty":1,"unit":"tsp","item":"ground black Pepper"},{"raw":"-   240ml (1 cup) brown lentils, rinsed and drained","qty":240,"unit":"ml","item":"brown lentils","prep":"rinsed and drained"},{"raw":"-   240ml (1 cup) basmati rice, rinsed and drained","qty":240,"unit":"ml","item":"basmati rice","prep":"rinsed and drained"},{"raw":"-   80ml (⅓ cup) extra-virgin olive oil","qty":80,"unit":"ml","item":"extra-virgin olive oil"},{"raw":"-   2 medium yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced","qty":2,"item":"medium yellow onions","prep":"halved and thinly sliced"},{"raw":"-   1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced","qty":1,"unit":"bunch","item":"scallions","prep":"thinly sliced"}]}],"servings_int":4,"qc":{"status":"passed","last_checked_at":"2026-07-30T01:59:04.003685Z","checked_by":"robert@sigler.io","standard_version":"2026-07-29","findings_count":0,"stale":false}}