Lentil Stew with Rice and Onion Salad

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup basmati rice
• 3 cup water (for cooking, plus more for rinsing)

Instructions

1. 1

   Rinse and Soak the Rice

   • Place 1.5 cups of basmati rice in a medium bowl.
   • Add cool water and gently swirl the rice with your fingertips. The water will become cloudy.
   • Carefully drain the starchy water. Repeat this rinsing process 3-4 times, until the water runs mostly clear.
   • Add enough fresh water to cover the rice by an inch and let it soak for 30 minutes. This is key for long, fluffy grains.
   • After soaking, drain the rice completely using a fine-mesh sieve.
2. 2

   Cook the Rice

   • Transfer the drained rice to a heavy-bottomed saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.
   • Add 3 cups of fresh water.
   • Place the pan over medium-high heat and bring the water to a rolling boil.
   • Once boiling, give the rice one gentle stir to prevent sticking.
   • Immediately reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover the pot securely, and let it simmer for 12-15 minutes.
   • Do not lift the lid during this time to keep the steam trapped inside.
3. 3

   Rest and Fluff

   • After 12-15 minutes, turn off the heat. Keep the lid on and let the pot stand undisturbed for another 10 minutes.
   • This resting period allows the residual steam to finish cooking the grains perfectly.
   • After resting, remove the lid and use a fork to gently fluff the rice, separating the grains.
   • Serve hot with your favorite curry or dal.

Ingredients

• 2 pcs sweet onion (medium, thinly sliced into rings)
• ice cubes (for soaking)
• 4 cup water (cold, for soaking)
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 0.5 tsp paprika (for color)
• 0.5 tsp sugar (to balance tanginess)
• 0.25 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp parsley (fresh, finely chopped)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the onions

   • Peel the sweet onions and slice them into thin, uniform rings. A mandoline slicer works best for this.
   • Gently separate the rings with your fingers and place them in a large bowl.
2. 2

   Soak for crispness

   • Add ice cubes and cold water to the bowl, ensuring the onion rings are fully submerged.
   • Let them soak for 15 minutes. This crucial step makes the onions crisp and mellows their sharp flavor.
3. 3

   Drain and dry

   • After soaking, drain the onions completely using a colander.
   • Gently pat the onion rings dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove excess moisture.
4. 4

   Season and toss

   • Transfer the dry onion rings to a clean mixing bowl.
   • Drizzle with apple cider vinegar and sprinkle with paprika, sugar, black pepper, and salt.
   • Add the chopped fresh parsley.
   • Toss gently until the rings are evenly coated.
5. 5

   Serve immediately

   • Serve the onion salad immediately to enjoy its maximum crispness and fresh flavor.
   • It is an excellent topping for burgers, hot dogs, and grilled chicken sandwiches.