Mujadara (Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions)

Are you conversant in mujadara? It’s a gorgeous dish layered with lentils and rice at rock bottom , followed by caramelized onions (the more, the better), and hopefully a few of creamy or spicy sauces on the side. It’s one among my favorite items to order at Middle Eastern restaurants, and this recipe tastes a bit like it.

Mujadara is served across the center East in various forms and goes by differing names, counting on where you're . it's many spelling variations: mujadarra, mujadarah, majadra, mejadra, moujadara, mudardara, and megadarra.

How to Cook Mujaddara

1. Here’s what you ought to know before you get started:
2. This mujaddara recipe is awesome because you'll cook the rice and lentils within the same pot! The trick is to let the rice cook for about 10 minutes before adding the lentils. This easy cooking method may be a game changer, and I’m sure you’ll see it again soon.
3. While the lentils and rice simmer, you’ll start caramelizing the onions. Whether you would like soft caramelized onions (shown in photos) or more crispy caramelized onions (more traditional), your mujaddara will end up great.
4. For softer onions, just reduce the warmth to medium-low after 10 minutes at medium-high. For more crisp onions, leave the warmth at medium-high the entire time and stir minimally, just every jiffy when the onions are beginning to brown. With either method, cook until the onions are deeply caramelized and loaded with flavor. You can’t go wrong!
5. Once your components are done, spread them across an outsized serving platter. Serve with a bowl of yogurt on the side. Its creamy, rich texture and tangy flavor unites the pilaf and onions.
6. I also love serving my mujaddara with a fresh and spicy sauce, like shatta (shown in photos) or zhoug. Those are both made with jalapeños and fresh herbs. Store-bought chili-garlic sauce may be a good option, too. If you would like a more mild flavor boost, try a couple of sliced cherry tomatoes.

INGREDIENTS

• 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 regular brown or green lentils**, picked over for debris, rinsed and drained
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 medium-to-large yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
• ½ cup thinly sliced green onions (from 1 bunch), divided
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, divided
• Plain whole-milk or Greek yogurt, for serving
• Spicy sauce, for serving (optional): shatta or zhoug or store-bought chili-garlic sauce or even sriracha

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, combine the garlic, bay leaves, cumin, 1 ½ teaspoons of the salt and about 20 twists of freshly ground black pepper. Add 5 cups water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Using a slotted spoon or fish spatula, transfer the onions to the lined plate and spread them evenly across. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt over the onions. They’ll crisp up as they cool.
7. 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.
8. Remove the lid, discard the bay leaves, and smash the garlic cloves against the side of the pan with a fork. Add about ¾ths 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.
9. 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.

NOTES

*RICE NOTES: You can find brown basmati rice (Lundberg brand) at most well-stocked grocery stores, in the rice or health food section. You can also find it at Trader Joe’s, but be sure to buy the regular (not quick-cook) variety. To make this recipe with white basmati rice instead, cook the lentils in the boiling water first for about 10 minutes (until somewhat softened on the outside/still firm in the middle), then add the rice and cook until both lentils and rice are tender, about 25 minutes.

**LENTIL NOTES: You want to use standard-issue brown or green lentils, not red or yellow lentils or fancy French green or black beluga lentils. Those all have different cooking times, which won’t work with these instructions.