Lentil Pilaf

Elevate your dinner table with this fragrant and hearty Lentil Pilaf, a one-pot wonder that's as nutritious as it is flavorful. Combining protein-packed lentils and fluffy basmati or long-grain white rice, this dish is infused with warm spices like cumin, coriander, cinnamon, and paprika for a subtly spiced, aromatic experience. Cooked to perfection in a flavorful vegetable broth and rounded out with sautéed onions, garlic, and carrots, this pilaf is both satisfying and versatile. Perfect as a wholesome vegetarian main course or a flavorful side, it’s finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness. Ready in under an hour, this easy Lentil Pilaf is your go-to recipe for a comforting yet impressive meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 1 medium, diced carrot
• 1 cup dried green or brown lentils
• 1 cup long-grain white or basmati rice
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 0.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 tablespoons, chopped (optional for garnish) fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils and rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set both aside.

Step 2

In a large pot or deep skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

Step 3

Add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft and translucent.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and diced carrot. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.

Step 5

Add the lentils to the pot along with the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, paprika, and bay leaf. Stir well to coat the lentils with the spices.

Step 6

Pour in the vegetable broth, then bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 7

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the lentils simmer for 15 minutes.

Step 8

After 15 minutes, stir in the rinsed rice, salt, and black pepper.

Step 9

Cover the pot again and let everything simmer on low heat for another 20 minutes or until both the rice and lentils are tender and the liquid is absorbed.

Step 10

Once cooked, remove the pot from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 11

Fluff the pilaf with a fork, remove the bay leaf, and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 12

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm as a main dish or side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1333.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1593.9

Total Fat 38.5g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.8g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4104.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 250.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 37.9g	0%
Total Sugars 21.9g
Protein 73.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 358.9mg	0%
Iron 21.0mg	0%
Potassium 3235.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 21.1%

Protein: 17.8%

Carbs: 61.0%