Lentils and Rice (Fakorizo)

Lentils and rice, known in Greece as fakorizo, is part of a group of traditional dishes where rice is cooked together with vegetables or legumes in olive oil.

These dishes are simple, nourishing, and deeply satisfying, combining plant protein from legumes with rice to create a complete meal.

Fakorizo can be made with tomato or lemon, both traditional and delicious, and as in many Greek dishes, a little lemon at the end brings everything together.

Ingredients

Everything here is simple. What matters is keeping the lentils tender, the rice properly cooked, and the whole dish well coated with olive oil.

Instructions

Prepare the Lentils

1. Rinse the lentils and place them in a pot with water. Bring to a boil, then drain.
2. Return the lentils to the pot with about 3 1/2 cups fresh water, the bay leaves, and about 1 teaspoon salt.
3. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, until soft but not mushy.
4. Drain and set aside.

You can prepare larger batches in advance and freeze them for future use.

Build the Flavor Base

5. In a large pot, heat the olive oil.
6. Add the onions and sauté until translucent.
7. Add the carrots and celery and cook for 2-3 minutes more.

Add Garlic and Tomato

8. Add the garlic and tomato paste, if using, or the fresh tomatoes.
9. Sauté briefly, about 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Add the Rice

10. Add the rice and sauté for about 2 minutes, allowing it to absorb the olive oil and flavors.

Combine and Simmer

11. Add the cooked lentils, salt, and pepper and stir well.
12. If making the lemon version, you can add the lemon zest at this stage.
13. Add:

• 1 cup water for medium grain rice
• 1 1/2 cups water for jasmine or basmati

14. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
15. Add more warm water as needed.

Finish Like a Greek

16. Turn off the heat.
17. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, whether or not you used tomato, and drizzle generously with extra virgin olive oil.
18. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.

Tips

The Balance of Lentils and Rice

As with all rizi dishes, the lentils should be the main component, with the rice complementing them.

Choosing the Rice

• Medium grain gives a creamier, more traditional texture.
• Basmati or jasmine gives a lighter, more separate texture.

Make Ahead

Lentils can be cooked in advance and frozen, making this dish very quick to prepare.

Variations

Tomato Version

Richer and more savory, using tomato paste or fresh tomatoes.

Lemon Version

Lighter and brighter, with lemon zest during cooking and fresh lemon juice at the end.

With Caramelized Onions

Top with slowly caramelized onions for added sweetness and depth. It pairs beautifully with the earthy lentils.

Add Greens

You can add:

• Spinach
• Chard
• Other greens

to make it even more vegetable-forward.

Serving

Serve warm with:

• Crusty bread
• Feta cheese
• Olives

And always a drizzle of olive oil.

Why This Dish Matters

Fakorizo is a perfect example of the Mediterranean diet in practice:

• Plant-based protein
• Whole grains
• Olive oil as the primary fat

Simple food, cooked properly, that is deeply satisfying and nourishing.