This one-pot Indian-style Red Lentils and Rice recipe is my go-to for a quick and comfort meal. Simple, delicious and so easy and perfect to make on a busy weekday!
I love rice and lentils in any form- Khichdi, Pulao, lemon rice, chana spinach dal, dal chawal, and I can go on. This is my version of easy Khichdi recipe where we use similar ingredients like in Indian Khichdi but we don't cook it to be mushy. Instead it is cooked for one whistle so that rice is fluffy and long like in pulao.
This red lentils and rice recipe is so flavorful and easy. You can simply hide lentils from the picky eater. They would think it is rice pulao. Isn't that great for busy moms?
With simple pantry ingredients and easy recipe, your dinner is sorted!
You may also like Indian recipes: Moong Dal Chilla, Easy Kanda Poha, Green Moong Dal Uttapam, Bread Besan Cheela, Bread Rolls.
More Red Lentils Recipe- Red Lentil Sweet Potato Soup, Carrot and Red Lentils Soup
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Why Would You Love This Recipe?
- Perfect for a quick, comforting dinner.
- Easy Indian Khichdi Recipe.
- Flavored with Indian spices.
- Made with simple, everyday ingredients.
- Kids Friendly.
- Vegan and Gluten Free.
- Pressure cooked one Pot Hearty Meal!
- The Best Red Lentils and Rice Recipe Ever!
Ingredients
See the recipe card for the exact ratio of ingredients.
- Red Lentils: While any lentils- green split moong lentils, yellow lentils (Moong or arhar) work for this recipe, I like red lentils.
- Rice: I love using basmati rice as it has perfect texture and is a long grain rice. You may use white or brown rice.
- Veggies: I have added red onion and fresh tomatoes. You can add any veggies of your choice too: mushrooms, zucchini, broccoli or cauliflower.
- Green Chili: Fresh green chilies add heat and start with little as it's going to be spicy with 2 green chilies. Jalapeños or red chili flakes can also be used.
- Sesame Oil: I love adding ghee to my rice. But this time I tried sesame oil and it turned out to be great.
- Indian spices: Salt, Heeng, cumin seeds (jeera), Red chili powder, and turmeric powder.
- Lemon Juice
How To Make Red Lentils and Rice using Pressure Cooker
Step 1. Prep the Ingredients
Rinse the red lentils and rice thoroughly. While you chop the onion, tomato, and green chili, let the rice lentils be soaked.
Step 2. Sauté Onion Tomato
Heat sesame oil in a pressure cooker. Add Heeng, jeera. Once jeera cracks, add chopped onion and green chilies and sauté until golden brown. Add tomato, and cook until the tomato softens. Add spices and salt.
Step 3. Add Lentils and Rice
Stir in the rinsed red lentils and rice, ensuring they are well mixed with the sautéed ingredients.
Step 4. Add Water and Pressure Cook
Pour in enough water to cover the lentils and rice. Pressure cook for 2 whistles on full., Switch off.
Step 5. Serve
Let the pressure release at its own. Top with freshly squeezed lemon juice and coriander leaves and serve the warm red lentils and rice with curd.
Expert Tips
- Soaking lentils and rice help them cook faster.
- Make sure to add water just to soak lentils rice 1 inch deep in the pressure cooker.
- One may use one pot as well but that would need more water and careful stirring.
- Let the pressure cooker release pressure at its own for the best texture.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, rice and lentils can be eaten together. They taste great together and provide a complete nutritious meal.
Mixing rice and lentils creates a balanced meal with complete protein and helps you make a quick meal on busy days.
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- Baingan Bharta Recipe (Eggplant Bharta)
- Makki Ki Roti (Punjabi Maize Flour Flatbread)
- Methi Paratha Recipe
- Methi Matar Malai
- Indian Mango Rice
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Red Lentils and Rice- Indian Style
Equipment
- 1 Pressure Cooker
- 1 Large Bowl soaking lentils and rice
- 1 Chopping board
Ingredients
- 1 cup Rice 1 bowl may be around 50 gm
- ½ cup Red lentil pink masoor dal
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 large onion
- 1 medium tomato
- 1 teaspoon Haldi powder (Turmeric)
- 2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1 small green chili
- 2-3 bowl Water
- 1 teaspoon Jeera
- a pinch Heeng (Asafoetida)
- salt as per taste
- water for soaking and pressure cooking
Instructions
- Rinse the red lentils and rice thoroughly. While you chop the onion, tomato, and green chili, let the rice lentils be soaked.
- Heat sesame oil in a pressure cooker. Add the chopped onion and green chilies and sauté until golden brown. Add tomato, and cook until the tomato softens. Add spices and salt.
- Stir in the rinsed red lentils and rice, ensuring they are well mixed with the sautéed ingredients.
- Pour in enough water to cover the lentils and rice. Pressure cook for 2 whistles on full., Switch off.
- Let the pressure release at its own. Top with freshly squeezed lemon juice and coriander leaves and serve the warm red lentils and rice with curd.
Notes
- Soaking lentils and rice help them cook faster.
- Make sure to add water just to soak lentils rice 1 inch deep in the pressure cooker.
- One may use one pot as well but that would need more water and careful stirring.
- Let the pressure cooker release pressure at its own for the best texture.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 1 bowl | |
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 201 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 1.9g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat 0.3g | 2% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 26mg | 1% |
| Total Carbohydrate 39.7g | 14% |
| Dietary Fiber 2.7g | 10% |
| Total Sugars 1.8g | |
| Protein 11.3g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 25mg | 2% |
| Iron 3mg | 15% |
| Potassium 226mg | 5% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
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