Adas bil-ruz (Sudanese lentils with rice)

Instructions

1. Rinse the red lentils and the rice separately until the water runs clear.
2. Finely slice an onion and fry it in 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until a nice brown colour.
3. Set aside half of the fried onions. Add the remaining oil to the pan, then the raw sliced onion, the crushed garlic and the grated tomatoes; let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Add the spices and stir for one minute.
5. Pour in the lentils and rice, mix, then cover with boiling water about 2 cm above the mixture.
6. Season with salt, bring to the boil, then lower the heat to the minimum, cover and cook for 20 minutes without lifting the lid.
7. Turn off the heat, let it rest for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
8. Serve topped with the reserved fried onions.