Silent BBC Keys
Based on:
TypeMain course
Serves4 people
DateOctober 6, 2026
Lentils and rice with halved eggs as silent piano keys: a quiet tribute to the composer.
A restrained British-Indian main dish: soft lentil curry with rice, topped with halved eggs arranged as piano keys. The keyboard refers to the composer and his BBC tunes. The plating is serene and understated, matching the theme of mourning.
Ingredients
- 250 g basmati rice
- 200 g red lentils
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp ginger (grated)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (400 g)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 4 eggs
- 2 tbsp sunflower oil
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Method
- Cook the rice according to package instructions and keep warm.
- Boil the eggs for 8 minutes, cool and peel them. Slice lengthwise in half.
- Rinse the lentils. Finely chop the onion and garlic.
- Heat the oil in a pan, sauté onion, garlic and ginger for 2 minutes.
- Add cumin seeds, coriander powder and turmeric, fry briefly.
- Add the lentils, stir, then add the diced tomatoes.
- Add 500 ml water, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes until the lentils are tender. Season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange the rice on 4 plates in a wide stripe. Spoon the lentil curry beside it.
- On each plate, lay the halved eggs in a straight line, cut side up, as piano keys in the center.
Serving notes
- Serve without extra garnish for a sober look.
- Align the halved eggs closely together, like a piano keyboard.