This 30-minute vegan Mediterranean rice and lentils recipe is made with cooked rice, canned lentils and za’atar seasoning for a fast, simple and flavourful dish.
I made this for dinner tonight. Shocked how simple and fast this but additionally how scrumptious and easy this dish is.
Arushana
Introduction
Love Mediterranean flavours? Then you definitely’ll love this 30-minute flavour-packed rice and lentil recipe!
This tasty however easy dish is an effective way to make use of up leftover rice, is tremendous simple to make and scrumptious by itself for a fast and wholesome meal, or paired with a major dish or different aspect.
This recipe might be loved sizzling but it surely’s additionally scrumptious served as a chilly lentil salad and it tastes even higher the subsequent day.
It really works properly for BBQ’s and summer season get-togethers, particularly since you may make it advance so that you’re all able to go.
Not solely is it scrumptious, however with components like lentils, spinach and bell pepper, it’s very nutritious too! Get pleasure from these Mediterranean-inspired rice and lentils for simple meal or aspect dish any night time of the week.
Substances & Substitutions
An entire listing of components with quantities and full directions is situated within the printable recipe card beneath. This part covers ingredient and substitution issues.
- Olive Oil: Could be substituted with avocado oil, or for an oil-free recipe, you should use water or broth.
- Bell Pepper: Any color of bell pepper is appropriate (pink, inexperienced, orange, and many others.).
- Onion: White or yellow onion works.
- Spinach: Use contemporary spinach, child spinach or substitute it with kale.
- Cooked Rice: Any cooked white or brown rice works. I like to make use of rice that’s been saved within the fridge in a single day for the very best “fried” rice texture. You might additionally use one other grain like quinoa or farro.
- Lentils: You need to use 1 15 oz can of lentils or about 1.5 cups of cooked inexperienced or brown lentils. You’ll be able to swap the lentils for chickpeas or white beans.
- Za’atar Seasoning: Za’atar is a Center Easter spice combine that features thyme, oregano, sesame, marjoram, cumin and coriander. It’s available on-line or in well-stoked grocery shops.
- Sumac: Non-obligatory further seasoning (za’atar already accommodates sumac so be happy to skip the extra flavouring).
- Olives: I really like kalamata olives right here however sliced black olives would additionally work. In the event you don’t like olives, you may depart them out.
Variations & Additions
- Roasted Greens: Add roasted bell peppers, zucchini, eggplant, and cherry tomatoes for further Mediterranean flavors and a burst of coloration.
- Artichoke Hearts: Incorporate marinated or grilled artichoke hearts for a tangy and briny aspect.
- Toasted Pine Nuts: Sprinkle toasted pine nuts, pistachios or walnuts over the dish to supply crunch and nutty taste.
- Recent Herbs: Add a beneficiant quantity of contemporary chopped herbs like parsley, basil, and oregano for an fragrant contact.
- Capers: These add a novel briny and tangy taste that enhances Mediterranean dishes properly.
- Cucumber: Cube cucumber and blend it in for a refreshing crunch and coolness.
- Solar-Dried Tomatoes: Use chopped sun-dried tomatoes to accentuate the tomato taste and add a chewy texture.
- Vegan Feta Cheese: Crumble some vegan feta cheese on high when serving.
- Lemon Zest: Grate some lemon zest over the dish so as to add a shiny and citrusy aroma.
- Roasted Garlic: Combine in some roasted garlic cloves for a mellow and barely candy taste.
- Spices and Seasonings: Experiment with spices like cumin, coriander, smoked paprika, or sumac to boost the Mediterranean profile.
- Quinoa or Bulgur: As an alternative of rice, use quinoa or bulgur for a distinct texture and added protein.
- Grilled Tofu or Tempeh: Serve with baked tofu or tempeh for further protein.
- Pomegranate Seeds: Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the dish for a candy, tangy crunch.
- Tahini or Hummus: Serve with a drizzle of tahini, tahini sauce, and/or dollop of your favorite hummus or tzatziki.
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet over medium warmth.
Add the onion and bell peppers, season with salt and pepper, and cook dinner till aromatic and softened, about 2-3 minutes.
Fast Be aware: In the event you choose to cook dinner your personal lentils somewhat than use canned, cook dinner them earlier than you begin the recipe.
You’ll want 15-20 minutes to cook dinner brown or inexperienced lentils and also you need about 1.5-2 cups cooked.
Step 2: Add the chopped spinach, stir and cook dinner for an additional 2 minutes.
Step 3: Add the cooked rice, lentils and spices, stir properly and cook dinner for a couple of minutes till the rice is heated by means of.
After stirring within the rice, unfold the combination evenly within the pan and let it sit for a couple of minutes with out stirring to permit to brown barely on the underside.
Step 4: Stir within the kalamata olives. In the event you don’t like olives, go forward and skip this step! I like kalamata right here however you may as well use black olives.
Different tangy components that might work listed here are capers, marinated artichoke hearts or sun-dried tomatoes.
Season with salt, pepper and a squeeze of contemporary lemon juice and revel in!
Serving Suggestions
- This dish can work as a standalone major dish or a aspect dish.
- Serve by itself or with contemporary pita or naan and hummus.
- Strive it added to a wrap with hummus, tomato and contemporary spinach.
- The combination might be added to salads and bowls with different veggies & a protein.
- Serve with this lemon roasted cauliflower.
- Serve sizzling straight from the pan or chill within the fridge to function a chilly lentil salad.
- Pairs properly with a light-weight inexperienced salad or soup like this lemon lentil soup or Greek lemon soup.
FAQs
You’ll be able to however I inexperienced or brown lentils work quite a bit higher right here. Crimson lentils are mushier when cooked so the ultimate dish with have a distinct texture. Inexperienced and brown lentils maintain their form higher so are higher suited to a recipe like this.
You might additionally use French (puy) lentils or black lentils.
In the event you’re in search of pink lentil recipes, strive my Crimson Lentil Pasta Sauce, Coconut Crimson Lentil Dahl or Crimson Lentil Cauliflower Curry.
Any cooked brown rice or white long-grain rice works. For greatest outcomes, use cooked rice that’s been saved within the fridge in a single day. You may as well substitute one thing like quinoa, farro or bulgur.
Za’atar is an excellent yummy, versatile seasoning you should use so some ways, so positively have a look for it in the event you can!
In the event you can’t discover any or don’t have any available, you may change the two tsp of za’atar with 1 tsp every dried oregano, thyme, sesame seeds and salt.
You might additionally use 2 tsp of dried combined herbs and a pinch of salt and lemon.
Be aware that za’atar does already comprise sumac so that you don’t essentially have so as to add that along with the za’atar.
Storing Directions
- Could be made as much as 5 days upfront so works properly for meal prep.
- Could be loved chilly or reheated within the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop.
- Let cool fully earlier than storing
- Retailer in a sealed container within the fridge for as much as 5 days.
- Not appropriate for freezing.
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Description
This Mediterranean-inspired fried rice and lentil dish is filled with diet and makes the proper meal prep dish. It’s additionally filled with flavour and simple to make with only a few components!
- Warmth Oil: Warmth the olive oil in a big skillet over medium warmth.
- Prepare dinner Onion & Pepper: Add the onion and bell pepper, season with salt and pepper, cook dinner till aromatic and starting to brown, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Spinach: Stir within the chopped spinach and cook dinner for an additional 2 minutes,
- Add Rice, Lentil & Seasoning: Add the cooked rice, lentils and za’atar, stir to mix and cook dinner till rice is sizzling, permitting to take a seat for 2-3 minutes at a time to permit it to brown and crisp.
- Add Olives: Stir within the kalamata olives and take away from warmth.
- Season and Serve: Season with salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
Notes
The fried rice might be stored in an hermetic container within the fridge as much as 5 days. Not appropriate for freezing.
Diet
- Serving Dimension: 1/4 of recipe
- Energy: 286
- Sodium: 273 mg
- Fats: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 49 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 11 g
Key phrases: rice and lentils, mediterranean rice and lentils
Initially printed August 4, 2021.
