Foryoueats: Middle Eastern Lamb and Lentil Rice Pilaf

Ingredients

• 400 g / 13 oz mince/ground lamb
• 1 onion , diced (brown, white or yellow)
• 6 cups (loosely packed) spinach or silverbeet/chard, roughly shredded
• 2 garlic cloves , minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tin lentils , drained (400g/14oz) (Note 6)
• 1 cup rice , preferably basmati (see notes)
• 1 1/2 cups water (see notes)
• Spice Mix:
• 2 tsp coriander powder
• 2 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder , or cayenne pepper or other hot chilli powder (not American Chilli Powder) (optional)
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 tsp sugar
• To Serve:
• 3 tomatoes , sliced thickly
• Fried Asian Shallots (Scallions) (optional - see notes)
• Parsley leaves (optional)