Turkish Lentils and Rice

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This is our version of a classic Middle Eastern comfort food, as common as mac-n-cheese is here in America. The addition of turmeric to our rice to make it a beautiful yellow color and adds a bit of extra nutrition. This dish is flavorful and aromatic. The Cumin and garlic make the kitchen smell amazing while it's cooking. It tastes earthy and hearty, there's real comfort in this simple dish. Best of all, it's inexpensive, filling, and comes together easily in under 30 minutes... My favorite kind of dish!

Looking for more great Mediterranean recipes? Try my , Turkish Stuffed Grape Leaves  Baked Spinach and Artichoke Pasta , My Famous Stuffed Eggplant Parm, & Tuscan Gnocchi Bake

 Recipe:

1.5 cups lentils
2 cups of rice
8 cups of veggie broth
3 tsp. of cumin
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1/2 tsp. of cinnamon
2 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. Turmeric
Salt and Pepper to taste

To garnish:

2-3 large onions, thinly sliced
Oil to fry (optional)
Salt & pepper to taste
Vegan plain yogurt (optional)
Olives, hummus
Mediterranean Cucumber Salad

Cook rice and lentils in veggie broth with all your spices until tender and all liquid is absorbed. (Check starting at 15 minutes.)

Heat a few tsp. of oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Add onions, salt & pepper and caramelize.

To serve: Layer rice and lentils and top with onions.

Garnish as desired.

Serves 4-6.

Turkish Stuffed Grape Leaves

Today is my daughter's 18th birthday and she requested a Turkish food feast. We made so much food! My husband is Turkish and a great cook. He made his famous green beans stewed in tomatoes and whole garlic cloves while we made lemon roasted potatoes, falafel, hummus and pita, tabouleh, and stuffed grape leaves.

This stuffed grape leaves recipe has been adapted along the way.It's not the bland recipe served in most restaurants. I think you will love this flavorful version. It's evolved from the original into a meal worthy dish!

I will share the other recipes in the future. (Except the Turkish green beans recipe. I may never get from my husband because he never measures or writes anything down)

Stuffed Grape 
1 1/2 cups of rice
3 cups of veggie broth 

1 tsp. Dill
2 fresh chopped chives
2 tsp. tumeric
1/ 4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp. dried mint
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt to taste
1 onion, finely chopped & sautéed
1 (1 lb.) jar of grape leaves
2 large lemons to serve. 

Prepare your rice by cooking it with your veggie broth, dill, turmeric, chives, mint, salt, and lemon zest.

Once your rice is done, fold chopped parsley and onion into your rice.

Place spoonfuls of rice in center of grape leaf and roll like a burrito.

Fill your steamer with water, a little salt, & juice of 1 lemon.

Place grape leaves in a steamer basket.

Steam 15-20 minutes.

Serve with lemon wedges.

Makes 50 pieces.

*If you don't have a steamer, you can place a colander over a pot of boiling water and cover with a plate to make a steamer.

More Turkish recipes From Our Family - Turkish Rice & Lentils and Turkish Red Pepper & Walnut Dip