Rice Pilaf with Lamb, Mushrooms and Walnuts (Mantarlı Pilav)

Makes 10-12 servings

2 cups rice * 5 tbsp butter * 3 onions *100 g walnuts * 8 cups water * 500 g lamb meat * 2 tsp thyme * 200 g mushrooms * 3 tomatoes * 100 g fresh dill * 2 tsp sugar * 1 tsp black pepper * salt

Wash the rice and place it inside a bowl with warm water and salt for one hour. Then rinse it with cold water, filter and drain very well. Bring the onions and the meat, finely chopped, to fire with half of the butter. Sauté on low heat until the meat looses all the juice. Add the mushrooms and the tomatoes finely chopped and go on sautéing for some minutes. Add the water and let it cook for 30 minutes on low heat. When the meat is almost cooked add the rice, the salt, the black pepper and the sugar. First let it boil and then cook for 15 minutes on low fire. Melt the rest of the butter and add it to the rice. Close the pan and turn off the fire. Garnish with the dill and the thyme finely minced and the walnuts.