Bring lentils and water to the boil in a covered pot

Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes (don't salt them yet - it'll keep them hard)

Fry the onions in oil in a large pan over a low heat for about 20 minutes.

Remove half to add to the lentils.

Turn up the heat to medium/high and fry the remaining onions until almost caramelised.

Use as garnish

Add the rice and half the onions to the lentils.

Cook, covered, for another 20 minutes

Service on a large dish garnished with the caramelised onion