This is my version of a most delicious Persian rice with lentils and onions.
It brings back memories of the time I spent in Persia as a child. So many and happy memories!

• 200 gr Iranian rice or basmati rice
• 250 gr green lentils
• 3 large Spanish onions, sliced
• 1/3 of a cup of plain flour
• 200 ml sunflower oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons sumac
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds

• in plenty of salted water boil the lentils until just tender, drain and set aside
• wash the rice
• then boil the rice in plenty of salt water until just tender, drain and set aside

• with your hands, mix the sliced onions and flour
• in a fry pan heat the sunflower oil
• fry the onions in batches until golden, do not burn them

• drain the onions on some kitchen paper
• discard the oil and wipe the fry pan
• pour 3 tablespoons of olive oil into the pan
• add all the spices, except the sumac and gently heat them

• mix the rice through the spices until all is well amalgamated

• now add the drained lentils and half the fried onions
• sprinkle the sumac over the rice and lentils and mix  well
• gently re heat it on the stove

• pile the rice on a plate and add the rest of the onions on top

I like to serve some yogurt on the side, I find its sharpness goes perfect together with the polow.
• 400 gr greek yogurt
• 1-2 garlic, crushed
• juice and pith of 1 organic lemon
• 1 small chilli finely sliced
• little salt
• 2 teaspoons of sumac
• 2 tablespoons virgin olive oil
• mix all together