Red Lentils and Rice

As far as the lentils go, I have not worked with them enough to know if different colors actually taste different. I am certain there are people out that that will say yes and probably some that will say no. I just say, I don't know. 6 smoked ham hocks, I smoke my own, but buying them pre-smoked is fine 1 red onion, diced 2 carrots, diced 2 rib celery, diced 5 large clove garlic, minced 2 c red lentils 3 c diced tomatoes( 2 cans) 14 1/2 c water 1/2 t tumeric 1/2 t cumin 1/2 t cayanne 1 T salt 1 T pepper 1/2 t chili powder 1/4 t ginger 3 c rice 2 limes yogurt hot sauce 1a) Saute the celery, onion and carrots in a little Olive Oil 2a)add lentils, water and garlic 3a)bring to boil and then down to low 1b)drain tomato juice into 2nd pan(pan b) with ham hocks, 1 t salt, 2 c water 2b)put on med-low and cover, turning ham hocks every 15 minutes 1c)start rice 3 c rice mix 6 1/2 c water 2c)bring to boil 3c)cover and put on low until done 4a)to lentils add diced tomatoes, tumeric, cumin, cayanne, chili powder, ginger, 1 t pepper and 1 t salt 4b)when liquid starts to thicken pull ham hocks to cool and put liquid in pan a with lentils 5a)When ham hocks are cook take the meat off the bone and chop it up, adding it to the lentils when the meat has been added into the lentils and the rice is ready you are almost ready to serve. To accompany this wedge 2 limes into 6ths or 8ths and serve with yogurt and hot sauce on the side. NOTES: 1-For starters NO it is not vegetarian, it could be made vegetarian but I think that would take away an element that all of the people I know find desirable. 2-If you like less texture you can run this through the blender 3-if the ham hocks are too much work or just unavailable I would suggest 1 lb. of ham as a substitution. You could probably use any number of other meats but they would have to have flavor, otherwise they would probably get lost in this hearty dish.