Mujadara is a signature Middle Eastern dish of lentils, rice, and fried onions. Make sure to cook your onions until they are nutty brown. This adds the unique flavour. Serve Mujadara (Lebanese Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions) on a platter with lemon wedges, accompanied by Fattoush salad and Lebanese pickles.
Mujadara (Lebanese Lentils and Rice with Fried Onions)
Serves 4
Ingredients:
2 brown onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup plain flour
⅓ cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp olive oil
1 brown onion, extra, finely chopped
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cumin
½ cup dried brown lentils
1 cup long grain rice, soaked in water for 30 minutes
Fattoush salad, to serve – recipe here
Lebanese pickles, to serve
Lemon wedges, to serve
Method:
To make fried onions, toss the onions in flour. Heat vegetable oil in a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add onions and cook, turning frequently for 2 minutes, or until deep golden and crisp. drain on absorbent paper and set aside.
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook for 6 minutes, or until softened. Add cinnamon, cumin and lentils and stir to coat. Add 1 litre water, bring to the boil and cook for 15 minutes.
Rinse and drain the rice, add the rice to the pan with the lentils and cook for 20 minutes, or until the rice is just tender. Take off the heat, cover with a lid and set aside to steam for 5 minutes.
Serve on a platter with fried onions and lemon wedges, accompanied by Fattoush salad and Lebanese pickles.
Smart Tip:
Make sure to cook your onions until they are nutty brown. This adds the unique flavour.
