Full of entire grains and legumes this One Pot Lentils and Rice is a wholesome, straightforward aspect dish that’s stuffed with taste! The lentils and rice prepare dinner collectively in a single pot, and feed a crowd.

Why We Love Lentils

We don’t need to get all sensational right here, however… lentils are a little bit of a hidden secret. These humble legumes, filled with protein, fiber, iron, nutritional vitamins, and minerals, can profit our well being at all ages and stage. (Even infants love lentils!) And with a bit care within the preparation, they style nice, too!

We would like our children to eat All The Lentils. And with this tasty one pot lentils and rice recipe, they’ll need to eat All The Lentils, too.

You may make this savory aspect dish practically as simply as you’ll be able to prepare dinner rice. However right here, you get one thing further particular. The vitamin is superior. The feel is hearty however mild. The broth and vibrant herbs add depth and freshness.

Pair these lentils and rice with grilled rooster or fish and a inexperienced salad for a superbly balanced and scrumptious household dinner.

Are Lentils and Rice Good for You?

Right here’s the lowdown as to why we like to serve this dish to our children (and ourselves.)

Only one half cup of lentils offers 9 grams of protein (greater than an egg!) a 3rd of our each day fiber, and virtually half the each day really useful quantity of folate.

Brown rice, true to it’s entire grain goodness, dishes out loads of fiber too, together with minerals like manganese and selenium, and B-vitamins.

And may we discuss contemporary herbs? Parsley and scallions are as potent in vitamin as they’re in taste. These herbs are stuffed with nutritional vitamins and antioxidants. Parsley helps help a wholesome coronary heart, liver, and immune system.

The quick model: eat up! This aspect is tremendous nutritious.

Elements Wanted for Brown Lentils and Rice

• Brown Rice – quick grain brown rice is finest for this recipe
• Lentils – French lentils are finest. They’re a wide range of inexperienced lentils however they’re barely darker and smaller.
• Hen Broth
• Butter – unsalted
• Garnish – contemporary parsley and inexperienced onions

Suggestions for Making the Greatest Lentils and Rice

We examined this recipe rather a lot. Besides “examined” isn’t the fitting phrase. Actually, we simply stored making it, as a result of it was so tasty each time and we simply wished to maintain consuming it. BUT on this course of of creating it and making it once more, we discovered a bunch of suggestions and tips that assist your lentils and rice prove excellent. Right here’s what we all know:

• French lentils work finest right here. These are the small, greenish-brown marbled ones. They maintain their form higher than strange inexperienced or brown lentils.
• Select a extremely inventory or broth with a taste your actually like. Since you’ll style it. Do-it-yourself is superior, however your favourite store-bought model additionally works advantageous.
• Depart the lentils and rice alone whereas they prepare dinner. Stirring will launch the starches into the broth and make the entire combination form of sticky, and fewer appetizing. Discover a good low simmer, cowl the pot, and let it’s.
• Modify the quantity of liquid if wanted. Just a few variables can change how a lot broth you’ll want to melt the lentils and rice. Add and further splash if it looks as if the pot is getting dry midway by means of cooking.
• Wait till the very finish so as to add the herbs. You need them contemporary as might be. And don’t stir too vigorously
• In case your youngsters are suspicious of the herbs, hold them in a dish on the aspect. Every particular person on the desk can add a sprinkle of she likes, or chorus if she doesn’t.
• Add in tasty extras. This dish pairs properly with a variety of flavors. Be happy so as to add what you might have readily available like cooked rooster, beef or roasted greens.

What Ought to You Serve with Lentils and Rice?

This dish is loopy versatile. The flavour of the lentils and rice itself is so versatile which you could pair it with a number of completely different cuisines, and nothing will appear misplaced. Listed below are a couple of easy pattern menu plans you may strive:

• Grilled rooster, inexperienced salad, lentils and rice.
• Immediate Pot salmon, steamed carrots, lentils and rice.
• Indian butter rooster, roasted cauliflower, lentils and rice.
• Lentils and rice, contemporary fruit salad, and sauteed spinach.

Extra Wholesome Sides

• Rinse rice (we want lengthy grain brown rice) and lentils totally in three modifications of water. Drain properly.

• In a big saucepan over medium warmth, soften the butter. Add the drained rice and lentils and toss till well-coated.

• Add broth and produce to a boil. Cut back to low warmth and simmer, lined, undisturbed, for 30-40 minutes, till broth is generally absorbed and rice and lentils are tender.

• Take away from warmth and let relaxation 5-10 minutes earlier than fluffing with a fork. (Keep away from stirring vigorously, as that creates too  creamy a texture. The rice and lentils are finest when the grains are tender, however separate.)

• Fold in parsley and inexperienced onions, and serve.

Energy: 382kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 17g | Fats: 6g | Saturated Fats: 2g | Ldl cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 954mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 2g

Natalie Monson

I am a registered dietitian, mother of 4, avid lover of meals and powerful promoter of wholesome habits. Right here you will see that a lot of scrumptious recipes stuffed with fruits and veggies, suggestions for getting your youngsters to eat higher and develop into intuitive eaters and plenty of assets for feeding your loved ones.

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