Turmeric Lentil Rice

Name: Turmeric Lentil Rice (Roz Bil Ads)
Cuisine: Egyptian
Ingredients: 200 g (7 oz) short grain rice; 300 g (10½ oz) yellow lentils; 3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to serve; 2 medium yellow onions, chopped; ¼ tsp ground cumin; ½ tsp ground turmeric; 1.25 l (44 fl oz/5½ cups) boiling water; Sea salt and ground black pepper; Sea salt and ground black pepper; A handful each of rocket (arugula), dill and spring onions (scallions); A handful each of rocket (arugula), dill and spring onions (scallions); A handful each of rocket (arugula), dill and spring onions (scallions); A handful each of rocket (arugula), dill and spring onions (scallions); A handful each of rocket (arugula), dill and spring onions (scallions); A squeeze of lemon juice; A handful of green olives; A glass of goat milk kefir or buttermilk; A glass of goat milk kefir or buttermilk

Roz Bil Ads

Preparation info

Serves
4

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

Egypt

By Suzanne Zeidy and Rawah Badrawi

Published 2026

About

Zeinab and her six sisters live in stone houses at the foot of Gabal El Safsafa. Winters are harsh and the women patiently wait for spring when the orchards start to bloom. Till then turmeric lentil rice warms and fills the bellies of old and young. Served with a side of fermented milk, this meal captures the simplicity of the mountain diet.

Ingredients

Africa
Egypt
Mount Sinai & Saint Catherine
Main course
Gluten-free
Winter
Vegetarian
Mediterranean

Ingredients

Method