Rice Pilaf With Chickpeas, Lentils And Browned Onions

• 1 cup basmati rice
• Salt
• 1/4 cup lentils (preferably green)
• 1/4 cup orzo pasta
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups sliced onion (about 1 medium onion)
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup canned chickpeas
• 1 cup peeled, seeded, chopped tomatoes (about 6 small)
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon Turkish red pepper or smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro

1. 1. Place the rice in a strainer and rinse under the faucet, shaking to stir frequently. Transfer to a bowl and add enough lukewarm water to cover. Stir in 2 tablespoons salt and set aside to soak for at least 1 hour, preferably 2 hours.
2. 2. Add the lentils to 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Cook until they are almost tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. 3. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil, add 2 more tablespoons of salt, then add the rice and orzo and boil gently for 3 to 4 minutes, until almost cooked. Check by trying a grain: It should still have a bit of bite to it. Drain, rinse and set aside to drain.
4. 4. In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and sugar, and season with one-fourth teaspoon salt and one-eighth teaspoon pepper, or to taste. Cover the saucepan and cook gently until the onions are tender, about 5 minutes. Uncover the pan, increase the heat to high and stir in the lemon juice. Cook, stirring, until the onions are browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Do not let the onions scorch.
5. 5. Add the rice, lentils, orzo and chickpeas to the saucepan and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, cumin, red pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle over 2 tablespoons of water. Cover the pan with a tight lid and cook on the lowest possible heat for 35 5. Add the rice, lentils, orzo and chickpeas to the saucepan and cook, stirring for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, cumin, red pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Sprinkle over 2 tablespoons of water. Cover the pan with a tight lid and cook on the lowest possible heat for 35 minutes (a heat diffuser helps).
6. 6. Turn off the heat, wrap the lid in a tea towel, cover the pan and set aside for 10 minutes. Use a fork to stir in the cilantro and serve.
7. Each of 6 servings: 308 calories; 7 grams protein; 47 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams fiber; 10 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 mg cholesterol; 4 grams sugar; 1,128 mg sodium.

basmati rice, salt, lentils, orzo pasta, olive oil, onion, sugar, freshly ground black pepper, lemon juice, chickpeas, tomatoes, ground cumin, turkish red pepper, cilantro

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/rice-pilaf-with-chickpeas-lentils-and-browned-onions-51413651 (may not work)