Instant Pot Middle Eastern lentils with rice and spinach recipe

Ingredients for Instant pot Middle Eastern lentils with rice, leeks, and spinach

• 45 ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving

• 2 large or 3 small leeks, halved, thinly sliced (white and light green parts only)

• kosher salt

• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated, minced

• 5 ml ground cumin

• 0.5 g ground allspice

• 0.25 g cayenne pepper

• 240 g brown or green lentils

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 150 g long-grain white rice

• 140 g baby spinach

• 240 g plain yoghurt

How to make Instant pot Middle Eastern lentils with rice, leeks, and spinach

1. Heat the oil in the pressure cooker pot using the sauté function. Stir in the leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are dark golden at the edges, about 10 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt. Use a slotted spoon to scoop out half of the leeks and transfer them to a bowl; set aside for garnishing.

2. Stir the garlic into the pot and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add the cumin, allspice, and cayenne, and cook for a further 30 seconds.

3. Add the lentils, 500 ml water, 2 teaspoons salt, the bay leaf, and cinnamon stick to the pot.

4. Lock the lid into place and cook on high pressure for 1 minute. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.

5. Uncover the pot and quickly stir in the rice, ensuring the lentil mixture remains hot. Lock the lid back into place and cook on high pressure for 8 minutes. Manually release the pressure again.

6. Uncover the pot and stir in the spinach. Cover the pot with the lid (without locking it) and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to wilt the greens and finish cooking the rice.

7. In a small bowl, season the yogurt with salt to taste.

8. Discard the bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Serve the lentils warm, garnished with the reserved leeks and salted yogurt on top, drizzled with extra olive oil.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.