What is Mujadara? A dish of lentils and rice garnished with onions. Take the time to transform the humble onion into a crowning glory on this lentil-rice dish.   Delicious even just with rice, but the super combo of lentils & rice give us a complete protein.   Warm spices with the rice are highly addictive.   Give it the gourmet feel with a drizzle of good quality tahini blended with a little warm water and crushed garlic, or a good scoop of plain yogurt.   

Ingredients for Mujadara

1 cup green or brown lentils, cooked until al dente, or 1 can of lentils 
2 onions, thinly sliced
3 tbsp flour
oil for frying

1 tsp. each cumin seeds and coriander seeds
¾ cup basmati rice (we love this Tilda brand) 
½ tsp. turmeric
½ tsp. ground allspice
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
plenty of salt and freshly ground black pepper

Yogurt for drizzling (or Tahini Sauce), optional 

 How to make Mujadara

1. In a large frying pan with a lid, heat enough olive to cover the bottom of the pan
2. Toss onions with flour and then fry in the oil, in batches, until golden brown and crisp;  remove to a paper-towel lined plate and lightly salt.  
3. In the same pan, add cumin and coriander seeds; fry briefly before adding basmati rice, turmeric, allspice and cinnamon.  Fry for one minute and then add 1 ¼ cup water.  Stir in lentils. 
4. Season with salt and pepper, bring to a simmer, cover, and turn heat to lowest setting
5. Cook 15 minutes, then turn heat off and allow to sit for five minutes.  Serve with onions on top, garnished with yogurt or tahini!  

 Looking for more Middle Eastern Influence?  Click HERE for our Shawarma At Home class!