One-Pot Mujadara With Crispy Leeks And Spring Greens - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup green lentil (or brown)
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, roots trimmed
2 1/4 teaspoons salt, more as needed
1/4 cup olive oil, extra virgin
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup long-grain rice
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
4 cups greens, trimmed and chopped (chard leaves, spinach, kale, mustard or a combination)

Preparation

Place lentils in a large bowl and add warm tap water to cover by 1 inch. Let soak.
Meanwhile, halve leeks lengthwise; run under warm water to release any grit. Thinly slice leeks crosswise.
Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add leeks and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer half the leeks to a bowl to use for garnish and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
Stir garlic into the pot with the remaining leeks and cook for 15 seconds until fragrant. Stir in rice and saute 2 minutes. Stir in cumin, allspice and cayenne; saute 30 seconds.
Drain lentils and stir into pot. Add 4-1/4 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer. Cover and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Rinse greens in a colander and spread damp leaves over lentil mixture. Cover and cook 5 minutes more, until rice and lentils are tender and greens are wilted. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with reserved crispy leeks.