Don't Say Never Trust A Skinny Cook: Brown Rice With Lentils And Caramelised Onions

My mum took me to get my hair highlighted at Daniel Galvin once as a treat, although that treat did turn into a regular occurrence for a few years! Each time the appointment was over lunch, so we ate in the salon, where the menu was all terribly healthy and at the first visit I wasn't keen on any of the options but I had to eat something! That something turned out to be rice and lentils with greek yogurt and delicious caramelised onions as it seemed the most innocuous choice. I'm glad I chose it as it's yummy. Even though I no longer get my hair done there, I can still eat it, as one day was brave I asked mum to ask for the recipe! Duly armed I began to make it at home, although it was never as good because until recently I didn't know how to caramelise onions, but they're so easy to make and it tastes so good, plus it's filling and healthy! I tend to eat this on its own, nevertheless I sometimes have it as a side and add peas and sausages, as in  the photo. However you eat it, it's warming and easy to make. No hovering over the stove, just occasional checkups and you'll probably have leftovers to take into work in a thermos the next day.

Brown Rice with Lentils and Caramelised Onions Recipe

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

2 white/brown onions

½ cup brown rice

½ cup puy lentils, use green lentils if you can't get puy ones, though they are the best

2 cups vegetable or chicken stock

Greek yogurt, I always use 0% fat

Method

Finely dice one onion and let it soften in a little bit of oil in a lidded pan.

Add the lentils and rice and stir to coat in the oil.

Pour in the stock and bring to the boil.

Cover with a lid and simmer until the water is absorbed (about 40 minutes), stirring occasionally so that it doesn't stick to the bottom.

Meanwhile, cut the other onion into long strips and add to a frying pan with a bit of oil. Slowly cook them for about 30 minutes so that they caramelise. You don't have to stand over them, just come back to give them a stir every 7 minutes or so - you don't want them to burn!

Serve the rice and lentils, topped with the caramelised onions and have the greek yogurt on the side so that people can add as much or as little as they wish.

Enjoy