Lebanese lentils, rice and caramelized onions mujadara is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a hearty and healthy meal. Cooked with simple ingredients that are easily available, it combines the earthy flavors of lentils, the nutty taste of rice, and the sweetness of caramelized onions to create a dish that is both satisfying and nutritious. Whether you are a seasoned home cook or just starting out, this easy-to-follow recipe will guide you through the steps to create this classic Middle-Eastern dish that will impress your family and friends.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
LENTILS, RICE AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS (MUJADARA)
A protein-packed side dish or vegetarian main, this humble dish of lentils and rice is topped with addictively delicious caramelized onions.
Provided by Liz DellaCroce
Categories Side Dish
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Heat oil in a deep sauce pot over medium heat and sauté onions until translucent and caramelized, 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, add lentils and increase heat to medium-high. Toast lentils for 60 seconds then add 6 cups water. Bring pot to a boil then reduce heat to low and simmer until lentils are halfway cooked, about 15 minutes.
- Add rice, salt and pepper to the pot and bring mixture to a boil. Stir once, cover with lid, then reduce heat to low. Cook until all liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Fluff lentils and rice with a fork before serving with caramelized onions. Serve with plain yogurt or Lebanese Cucumber Laban if you wish.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 296 kcal, Carbohydrate 49.8 g, Protein 7.4 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 926 mg, Fiber 6.1 g, Sugar 2.5 g, UnsaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MUJADARA (LENTILS AND RICE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS)
Mujadara is a classic Arabic recipe featuring cooked lentils and rice, caramelized onions, herbs and yogurt. It's a delicious vegetarian main dish! This version calls for brown rice instead of white (if you want to use white, see recipe notes). Recipe yields 4 generous servings.
Provided by Cookie and Kate
Categories Main Dish
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, combine the garlic, bay leaves, cumin, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt and about 20 twists of freshly ground black pepper. Add the water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, stir in the rice and reduce the heat to medium. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a controlled simmer, for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the lentils and let the mixture return to a simmer. Cover again, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice and lentils are tender, about 20 to 23 minutes.
- Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. When it's warm enough that a slice of onion sizzles on contact, add the remaining onions. Stir to combine.
- Stir only every 3 minutes or so at first, then more often once the onions at the edges of the pan start browning. If the onions are browning before they have softened, dial down the heat to give them more time. Cook until the onions are deeply caramelized and starting to crisp at the edges, about 20 to 30 minutes. In the meantime, line a large plate or cutting board with a couple paper towels.
- Using a slotted spoon or fish spatula, transfer the onions to the lined plate and spread them evenly across. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt over the onions. They'll crisp up as they cool.
- When the lentils and rice are done cooking, drain off any excess water (if there is any) and return the mixture to the pot, off the heat. Lay a kitchen towel across the top of the pot to absorb steam, then cover the pot and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid, discard the bay leaves, and smash the garlic cloves against the side of the pan with a fork. Add about 3/4ths of the green onions and cilantro, reserving the rest for garnish. Gently stir and fluff the rice with a fork. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
- Transfer the rice and lentil mixture to a large serving platter or bowl. Top with the caramelized onions and the remaining green onions and cilantro. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature, with yogurt and spicy sauce (optional) on the side.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 generous serving, without yogurt or hot sauce, Calories 471 calories, Sugar 4.7 g, Sodium 936.3 mg, Fat 16.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, TransFat 0 g, Carbohydrate 70.5 g, Fiber 8.5 g, Protein 16.9 g, Cholesterol 0 mg
LEBANESE MUJADARA
Lebanese mujadara is a hearty and satisfying dish that combines lentils and brown rice with caramelized onions, all seasoned with cumin and cinnamon.
Provided by Foodaciously
Categories Mains
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a skillet, heat one tablespoon of oil with one teaspoon of cumin and finely sliced onions. Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
- Then, remove the lid and let the onions carmelise for 10 more minutes while stirring.
- Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil and spices in a large pan. Add the lentils, rice, and sizzle until well coated.
- Then, pour in the stock and simmer for 25 minutes until the water has been absorbed.
- Stir in the caramelized onions and serve with fresh coriander.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 363 calories, Carbohydrate 61 calories, Fat 7 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 1 grams, Sugar 2 grams, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams
LEBANESE RICE AND LENTILS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Bring the lentils to a boil in the water and simmer, skimming, about 25 minutes, or until nearly tender. Drain the lentils, reserving 1 1/2 cups of cooking liquid. Add more liquid if necessary to make 1 1/2 cups.
- Cook the onions in the olive oil for about 5 minutes. Then remove 1 1/2 cups of the onions and cook the rest until they caramelize and begin to get crisp, about 5 to 7 minutes more. Drain the caramelized onions on paper towels.
- Add to the saucepan the cooked lentils, the reserved liquid, the softened onions, and the basmati rice, salt and allspice. Cook over low heat, covered, until rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Top with caramelized onions.
- Recommended drink: Arak
Tips:
- Use high-quality lentils for the best flavor and texture. Green lentils hold their shape well and have a slightly peppery taste, while red lentils cook more quickly and have a milder flavor.
- Rinse the lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any dirt or debris.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot to cook the lentils, as this will help to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Add a bay leaf or two to the pot of lentils while they are cooking for extra flavor.
- If you are using canned lentils, rinse them well before adding them to the recipe.
- Caramelized onions are a key ingredient in this dish, so take the time to cook them slowly and carefully.
- To make the caramelized onions, use a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and golden brown.
- Serve mujadara with a dollop of yogurt or tahini sauce for extra flavor.
Conclusion:
Mujadara is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It is a great way to use up leftover lentils and rice, and it is also a very affordable meal. This dish is also a good source of protein, fiber, and iron. Whether you are a fan of lentils or not, you will definitely enjoy this dish. Mujadara is a hearty and flavorful dish that is sure to please everyone at the table.
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