Best 3 Mujadara Lentils And Rice With Caramelized Onions Recipes

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Embark on a culinary journey to the flavors of the Middle East with Mujadara, a hearty and comforting dish featuring a harmonious blend of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. Originating from the regions of Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine, Mujadara has become a staple in many Middle Eastern cuisines. This delectable dish showcases the perfect balance of textures and flavors, with tender lentils and fluffy rice complemented by the sweetness of caramelized onions. Join us as we explore the delightful taste of Mujadara and present you with a collection of delectable recipes that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the vibrant streets of the Middle East.

Let's cook with our recipes!

MUJADARA: LENTILS AND RICE WITH CRISPY ONIONS



Mujadara: Lentils and Rice with Crispy Onions image

Mujadara (mujaddara) is a signature Middle Eastern dish of lentils and rice garnished with crispy onions. Comforting in the best way, this vegan lentils and rice meal is great with a side of fattoush salad or shirazi salad and plain yogurt.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories     Entree

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup black lentils, (sorted and rinsed)
4 cups water, (divided)
1/4 cup Extra virgin olive oil,
2 large yellow onions, (diced (4 cups))
1 teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
1 cup long-grain white rice, (soaked in water for 10-15 minutes and then drained)
black pepper
1/2 to 1 teaspoon cumin
Parsley, (for garnish)
extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion cut in very thin rings

Steps:

  • Place the lentils in a small saucepan with 2 cups of the water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, and then reduce the heat and simmer, cover until the lentils are par-boiled (10-12 minutes). Remove from the heat, drain the lentils and set them aside.
  • In a large saute pan with a lid, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the diced onions and cook until the onions are dark golden brown, darker than typical caramelized onions (about 40 minutes), sprinkle the onions with a teaspoon of salt as they cook.
  • Carefully pour the remaining 2 cups of water, bring the water to a boil over high heat, and then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir the rice and par-cooked lentils into the onion mixture. Add a good dash of kosher salt, black pepper, and the cumin.
  • Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice and lentils are both cooked through (about 15 to 20 minutes).
  • If you are adding the the fried onions, work on them while the rice and lentils are cooking. In a large skillet, heat about 2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. When a small piece of onion bubbles vigorously, the oil is ready. Fry the onions in batches until they are crispy and deeply golden brown. Transfer the crispy onion rings to a paper towel-lined plate to get rid of excess oil.
  • Let the rice and lentils rest covered for about 10 minutes undisturbed, then garnish with parsley and transfer to serving bowls. Top each bowl with the crispy onion rings.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 207.4 kcal, Sugar 1.6 g, Sodium 398.9 mg, Fat 9.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Carbohydrate 28.2 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 2.6 g, UnsaturatedFat 6.7 g, ServingSize 1 serving

LEBANESE LENTILS, RICE AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS (MUJADARA)



Lebanese Lentils, Rice and Caramelized Onions (Mujadara) image

Provided by Aarti Sequeira

Time 1h25m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup brown or green lentils (not lentils du Puy), sorted for debris and rinsed
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns
3 medium red onions, thinly sliced
Kosher salt
3/4 cup basmati rice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 (1-inch) cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons pine nuts, optional
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Greek yogurt, for serving, optional

Steps:

  • Throw the lentils into a medium saucepan. Fill with enough cold water to cover the lentils by about an inch. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn down to a simmer and cook until the lentils are tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, as the lentils cook, grab a large skillet. Pop it over medium-high heat and add the oil. Allow the oil to warm for a minute, then drop in the cumin seeds and cracked peppercorns and cook, shaking the pan once in a while until the cumin seeds darken a touch, about 1 minute.
  • Add the onions, sprinkle with a dash of salt and cook until they turn dark caramel brown, stirring often. This will take about 15 minutes. Splash the onions with a little water if they stick to the bottom of the pan. You'll know they're done both by their deep chestnut color and by the slight crispiness developing on some of the onions.
  • Using a slotted spoon or spatula, remove about half of the onions to a paper towel-lined plate; these are for garnish later. Sprinkle in the ground cumin, cayenne and then add the cinnamon stick; saute about 1 minute.
  • Add the rice and cook, stirring often (but gently so you don't break the rice!) until some rice grains start to brown. Quickly, add the cooked lentils, 3 cups of water and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt; bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low so that the pan is at a simmer, cover and cook 30 minutes. The water should be completely evaporated and rice should be tender. (If there's still too much water in the bottom, put the lid back on and cook for another 5 minutes.)
  • Turn off the heat, keep the lid on, and allow the rice to steam undisturbed for about 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts, if using, in a small skillet over medium-low heat, shaking often, about 5 minutes.
  • Taste the rice for seasoning. Serve with the reserved caramelized onions, toasted pine nuts, if using, and a little squeeze of lemon juice. I also like to serve this with some dollops of Greek yogurt.

LENTILS AND RICE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS RECIPE BY TASTY



Lentils and Rice With Caramelized Onions Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: medium red onion, olive oil, water, medium red onion, garlic, olive oil, green lentil, long grain rice, salt, cumin, cinnamon, bay leaf, fresh parsley, lemon, greek yogurt

Provided by Andrew Ilnyckyj

Categories     Dinner

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 ½ cups water
½ medium red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup green lentil
1 cup long grain rice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 bay leaf
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 lemon
½ cup greek yogurt

Steps:

  • In a large pot, sauté the diced red onion and minced garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil until translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the water, green lentils, and salt to the large pot. Bring to a boil.
  • Cover with lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
  • To make the caramelized onions, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over low heat and add the onion slices, stirring occasionally until completely soft, dark brown, and caramelized.
  • NOTE: This will take about 30 minutes. The onions should become very dark and tacky when finished. Stir often to avoid burning.
  • Add the rice, cumin, cinnamon, and bayleaf to the lentils. Stir.
  • Cook covered for about 15 minutes, or until rice is cooked.
  • Serve lentils and rice topped with the caramelized onions, chopped fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and Greek yogurt if desired.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 473 calories, Carbohydrate 82 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 20 grams, Sugar 8 grams

Tips:

  • To make the perfect caramelized onions, slice them thinly and cook them over low heat with a pinch of salt, allowing them to slowly brown and caramelize.
  • For the most flavorful lentils, use a combination of brown and green lentils, which provide a variety of textures and flavors.
  • If you don't have basmati rice, you can use another long-grain rice, such as jasmine or white rice.
  • To achieve a fluffy and separate rice, rinse it thoroughly before cooking and use the right amount of water (1 cup of rice to 1 3/4 cups of water).
  • Don't be afraid to adjust the spices and herbs to your taste. You can add more cumin, coriander, or cinnamon, or use different herbs like thyme or oregano.
  • Serve mujadara with a dollop of yogurt, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and a side of pickled vegetables for a complete and satisfying meal.

Conclusion:

Mujadara is a delicious and nutritious dish that is easy to make and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With its combination of lentils, rice, and caramelized onions, this dish is a hearty and flavorful meal that is perfect for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast. Mujadara is also a great source of protein, fiber, and vitamins, making it a healthy and satisfying choice. So next time you're looking for a simple yet delicious meal, give mujadara a try – you won't be disappointed!

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