Rice with Green Lentils, Raisins, and Dates
08.07.11
Put the lentils in a saucepan and add about 500 ml/just under 1 pint of cold water; do not add salt. Bring to the boil and cook on a medium heat until the lentils are al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat 30 g/1 oz of the butter and 2 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan/skillet on a medium heat and fry the onion until golden.
Reduce the heat and add the raisins and dates and stir. Add the cooked lentils and 1 teaspoon of turmeric. Add salt to taste. Stir and set aside.
Pour 400 ml/14 fl oz of water into a heavy-based saucepan and bring to the boil. Drain the rice and add to the boiling water with 1 tablespoon of salt, 50 g/2 oz of butter and 3 tablespoons of oil. Leave to simmer, uncovered, on a medium heat, until all the water has been absorbed and holes start to appear on the surface of the rice (approximately 10 minutes).
Tip the rice into a shallow dish. (To make a rice tahdig (instead of potato), set aside 2 heaped tablespoons of the plain rice.) Gently fold the lentil and raisin mixture into the rice and add 3 tablespoons of the liquid saffron – take care not to break the grains of rice as you mix.
Source: Epicurious (blog)