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September 13, 2014

Lebanon -- Mujadara (Rice & Lentils dish)

BM# 44: A-Z Cooking Series -- Around the World in 30 days
Country: L for Lebanon
Dish: Mujadara (Rice & Lentils dish)
We are going to Lebanon, a country that is located in Western Asia. I think my first experience with Lebanese cuisine was at the local Mediterranean restaurant near my office. It was run by a super active mother-daughter team. They would memorize the orders in their heads and never wrote them down -- no matter how big the order was. They used to have the usual Mediterranean dishes like hummus, baba ghanoush, pita etc., but what I really wanted to order was their Lebanese Moussaka which they said was vegetarian. But unfortunately I never did and now that I'm not working there, I wish I had ordered that dish.
Lebanon -- Mujadara (Rice & Lentils dish)
Well today, I didn't make the moussaka, but I made another really filling and comforting Rice & Lentil dish called Mujadara. Mujadara is a humble and comforting dish made with pantry staples, rice and lentils. There is nothing fancy about it, but it is a very flavorful dish with the grown cumin and the crispy fried onions on top. It is also quick dish to make and is usually served with a dollop of yogurt.
Lebanon -- Mujadara (Rice & Lentils dish)
Ingredients:
Brown or Green lentils - 1/2cup (I used whole masoor or brown lentils)
Rice - 1/2 cup (I use Jasmine rice, but any long grain rice should work)
Onions - 1 large, thinly sliced
Garlic - 2 cloves
Cumin seeds - 1/2tsp
Black pepper - 1/2 tsp
Ground Cumin - 1/2 tsp
Cayenne pepper - 1/2 tsp
Salt - to taste

Method:
  • Soak rice for 15~20 minutes. 
  • Cook the lentils until almost cooked through, they should hold their shape and should not be mushy at all. I pressure cooked the lentils for 3 whistles, but you can boil them in a pot with 2cups of water. 
  • Once the lentils are par cooked, heat 3tbsp oil in a thick bottomed pan, add the cumin seeds and cracked pepper and cook for 30 seconds; add the sliced onions and cook on medium flame, stirring occasionally until the onions are caramelized and are deep brown in color. 
  • Remove half of the onions into a bowl and set aside for garnish later. 
  • To the remaining onions in the pot, add the drained rice along with ground cumin, cayenne and salt. Mix well and cook for 2~3 minutes. Add the cooked lentils and 2~3 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, lower the heat and cook covered until the rice is cooked through. 
  • I pressure cooked everything for 2 whistles. 
  • Serve the dish with the caramelized onions on top.
Lebanon -- Mujadara (Rice & Lentils dish)

Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 44.
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12 comments:

  1. Your pictures are so good you can make a brown colored dish stand out. Whole lentil are so flavorful. I have some green ones. Will try this.

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  2. It is all Lebanon today! Nice flavorful rice & lentils dish.

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  3. Pavani I read about Mujadra and was tempted to try it..the flavours in it are so nice and we love rice dishes.i am bookmarking this and will surely try it soon.

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  4. wow the lebanese style rice and lentils looks so tempting !! mujadara is sure filled with lots of flavors , wonderful Bg dear and very well captured !! :)

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  5. Mujadara looks simply healthy, hearty and wholesome..A complete meal.

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  6. indeed like you said...simple and flavorful instead of fancy...looks very comforting..nice choice...btw..cant you visit the place again since you are longing..or is it far off

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  7. Good one. I bookmarked his for another country. Lets see if I get to make it :)

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  8. Very comforting one pot meal , looks simple yet flavorful !

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  9. Simple and flavorful dish. It can be a great lunch box item too.

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  10. I have this on my list as well..opted for another one in the last min..very lovely pictures..

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  11. the carmelized onlons must make this so flavorful - just like koshari

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  12. Wow this looks and sounds and I am sure tasted yum. Love it,

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