Do you make baked grain dishes? I love them, especially this time of year when our weather is cold and drizzly. This combination is a favorite, with sweet, nourishing Lotus Foods Jade Pearl Rice. The recipe works with a variety of rice, so if you can’t find this one, feel free to use whatever you have on hand. The red lentils add another layer of nutrition without adding heaviness to the dish.<\/p>\n
Baked Rice with Red Lentils and Vegetables<\/b><\/p>\n
1 cup Lotus Foods Jade Pearl Rice (or any long grain rice)(If it is Jade Pearl, don’t rinse it before using. Any other rice can and should be rinsed.)
\n1\/4 cup red lentils, rinsed well
\nsmall piece of kombu
\n2 whole cloves
\nPinch of sea salt
\n1 medium carrot, medium size slices
\n1 stalk celery, medium size slices
\nHandful of cilantro or parsley, chopped coarsely<\/p>\n
1.Oven to 350\u00b0F.<\/p>\n
2. Place all ingredients in a medium size, heavy bottomed oven-proof pot with a tight, oven-proof lid. I like my Le Creuset for this. If you have a ceramic rice pot that would be lovely, too.<\/p>\n
3. Add 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, place the lid on top and transfer to hot oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from oven and let sit for 10 minutes covered before removing rice to a serving dish. Add garnish on top or at the table.<\/p>\n
Note:<\/b><\/p>\n
If you use a whole grain brown rice, you can rinse it and soak overnight in the water you will cook it with. Then add all the other ingredients and bake for 45-50 minutes.<\/p>\n
Feel free to experiment with a variety of vegetables and grains. Adding the vegetables increases the yin aspect of the dish and lightens it. Plus it adds so much flavor. Your taste buds will be singing.<\/p>\n