1. Wash the lentils. Put them in a saucepan with a large amount of water. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes. They should remain slightly crunchy as they will cook again. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, prepare the fried onions. Peel and thinly slice the onions. Put them on a large plate and sprinkle with flour and salt. Coat them well using your hands.
3. Heat sunflower oil in a saucepan. Pour about a third of the floured onions into the hot oil. Fry for about 5 minutes, until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Repeat until all the onions are used.
4. Pour a little olive oil into a large saucepan. Add the rice, spices, sugar, half a teaspoon of salt, and a good amount of pepper. Stir until the rice becomes translucent. Then add the lentils and 35cl of water. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over very low heat for 15 minutes.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Remove the lid and quickly cover with a towel. Replace the lid and let it sit for ten minutes.
6. To serve, mix half of the fried onions into the rice and keep the other half to sprinkle on top of the dish.
7. Serve with Greek cucumber yogurt and one hard-boiled egg per person!
8. For the tzatziki, cut half a cucumber, add Greek yogurt or yogurt with a little heavy cream, garlic, a little lemon juice, salt, olive oil, and dill, chives, or mint.