Brown Lentils with Basmati Rice - Masoor Dal Pulao Recipe

Brown Lentils with Basmati Rice - Masoor Dal Pulao Recipe

5 from 3 votes

This lentil rice pilaf is a wholesome one-pot dish combining basmati rice and brown lentils (masoor dal), cooked with aromatic spices, vegetables, and optional coconut yogurt for added richness. This vegan and gluten-free recipe is perfect for a nutritious and easy meal, ideal for lunch or dinner.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Servings

Author Sravanthi Chanda

Ingredients

1 cup basmati rice
½ cup brown lentils whole masoor dal
1.25 cups water Use 2 cups if cooking on a stovetop
½ cup onions sliced
½ cup carrots chopped
½ cup green beans chopped
¼ cup fenugreek leaves optional
2 tablespoon oil Olive oil or coconut oil
2 green chili optional
½ teaspoon ginger and garlic paste
2 tablespoon cilantro leaves chopped
3 tablespoon yogurt i used coconut yogurt
½ teaspoon red chili powder optional
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder optional
10 cashews optional
2 bay leaves
5 cloves
4 green cardamom
½ teaspoon cumin seeds
1 inch cinnamon
Salt to taste

Instructions

Soak brown lentils for 4 - 8 hours or soak for at least 30 minutes.
Wash and soak basmati rice for 30 minutes.
Thinly slice the onion and chop carrots and beans into the desired shape. I have added green peas as well.

Instant Pot instructions

Start the Instant pot in saute mode.
Once the pot gets heated, add oil. To the heated oil, add the whole spices ( cloves, cardamoms, cinnamon, bay leaves) and slit green chili.
Add onions and mix it well. Now add ginger garlic paste and mix everything.
Once onions are slightly brown, add chopped carrots and green beans. You can add other veggies like potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, green peas as well.
Mix everything well and let the veggies fry for 2 minutes and add cashews if you are using them.
Add turmeric powder and red chili powder if you are using them. Else adjust green chili according to your spice preference.
Wash the soaked brown lentils and drain the water completely. Now add these lentils to the veggies mixture and give a good stir. Let it cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
Now add finely chopped fresh fenugreek leaves and 3 tablespoon coconut yogurt or regular yogurt.
Drain the water from soaked rice and add it to this mixture. Add required salt and water.
Cancel the saute mode. Close the lid and seal the venting knob. Start the Instant pot in manual or pressure cook mode and cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.
Once done, wait for 5 minutes and do a manual pressure release.
Once the pressure is released completely, open the lid. Add chopped coriander leaves and fluff the rice. Keep it aside for 10 minutes, and brown lentils rice pilaf is ready to serve!

Stovetop pressure cooker instructions:

To make this lentils and rice in a stovetop pressure cooker, heat the pressure cooker pan itself and follow the steps same as Instant Pot.
Let it cook for 6-7 minutes for 1 or 2 whistles. Let the pressure subside naturally (it took around 10 minutes for me), and add chopped cilantro leaves once done. Easy and delicious Indian-style lentils and rice is ready to serve.

Nutrition