One Pot Meals

Some of my favorite meals are one pot meals ( everything is cooked in the same pot). There is a certain sweetness when I take a fork full of rice and peas or a spoon full of soup and just wait for my mouth to explore with flavors. Here are some of my favorites.

Cook-up (rice, lentils and chicken)

1 (2 lbs) whole frying chicken, cut into pieces
2 1/2 tbs vegetable oil
1 large onion chopped
3 garlic gloves chopped
fresh thyme
1/2 tsp oregano
1 fresh hot pepper, seed and chopped
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 lb dry brown lentils
2 cups rice
4 cups water

Sort and was lentils and set aside. Wash and season chicken with lime juice, salt and pepper.
Saute chicken in hot oil until brown on both sides. Add onion and garlic and continue to cook for about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the cumin and oregano. Cover and let chicken cook for about 10 minutes on low fire. Add lentils, water, thyme and hot pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
Add more water if need. When lentils are tender, add two cups rice, and a little salt. Cover and cooked till all the water have absorb and rice grains are tender. SERVES 6