Description
A comforting Middle Eastern dish combining lentils and rice topped with sweet caramelized onions, rich in flavor and nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 medium cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 ¾ teaspoons fine sea salt, divided
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 5 cups water
- 1 cup brown basmati rice, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed and drained
- â…“ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium-to-large yellow onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup thinly sliced green onions, divided
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley, divided
- Plain whole-milk or Greek yogurt, for serving
- Spicy sauce for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, combine garlic, bay leaves, cumin, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and black pepper. Add water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir in rice and reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add lentils and let simmer. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low, cooking until liquid is absorbed and rice and lentils are tender, about 20-23 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring every 3 minutes, until caramelized, about 20-30 minutes.
- Transfer caramelized onions to a lined plate and sprinkle with remaining salt.
- Once rice and lentils are done, drain excess liquid, return to pot off heat. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Remove lid, discard bay leaves, and smash garlic. Stir in ¾ of the green onions and cilantro, fluff with a fork.
- Transfer to a serving platter, top with caramelized onions, remaining green onions, and cilantro. Serve hot with yogurt and spicy sauce, if desired.
Notes
Mujadara stores well in an airtight container for up to five days in the fridge or three months in the freezer. Reheat gently to maintain moisture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 0mg