Recipe: Indian Spiced Lentils And Brown Rice

This hearty one-pot meal brings flavors of the Orient to your dinner table, with lots of pungent spices, brown rice, and lentils, and makes a good "Meatless Monday" recipe, or an excellent side dish for an Indian meal. This one may be adapted to the crockpot, or will cook fine on the stovetop in just about any type of pot.

Indian Spiced Lentils And Brown Rice
(Serves 2-3 as a main dish, or 6-8 as a side dish.)

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, diced small
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cardamon
1 bay leaf
1/2 cup brown rice
1/2 cup lentils, rinsed
2 1/2 cups water
1 Tbsp heavy cream (optional)

Directions:

1. In a large pot, put the butter and olive oil over medium heat, stirring until butter is melted.
2. Add the onion and cook just until softened, stirring often.
3. Add the salt, cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, and bay leaf, stir and cook for 1 minute, then add the brown rice and lentils, stirring to combine. 
4. Add the water, stir, turn heat to low, and cover the pot.
5. Simmer for 45 to 55 minutes or until the lentils and rice are tender and liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in heavy cream if desired. Serve immediately.