Mujadara with Caramelized Onions and Herbs Recipe
Mujadara is a comforting and flavorful Middle Eastern dish made with lentils, rice, and caramelized onions. This recipe uses brown rice and green or brown lentils simmered together with aromatic spices and vegetable bouillon, served topped with crispy caramelized onions and fresh herbs for a hearty, nutritious meal perfect for vegetarians.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 5 small-medium onions, sliced
- 1.5 cups green or brown lentils
- 1 cup brown rice (or white rice as an alternative)
- 5-5 1/2 cups water (divided)
- 1 tbsp vegetable bouillon powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt (divided)
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 2 bay leaves
- Black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preparation and soaking: Soak brown rice in water for 20 minutes, then drain. Soak lentils in cold water separately, then drain to ensure even and faster cooking. Slice the onions while the rice cooks.
- Cook rice with spices: In a large pot, bring 2 1/2 cups water and soaked brown rice to a boil. Stir in vegetable bouillon powder, 1 tsp salt, black pepper, and bay leaves. Once boiling, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add lentils and continue cooking: Add drained lentils and 3 cups water to the pot. Stir, cover, and bring to a boil again. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes or until rice and lentils are tender. If needed, simmer a few more minutes. Then turn off heat and keep covered.
- Caramelize onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions, stir and reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Uncover, add ground cumin and remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and continue to cook uncovered for 5-10 minutes until onions are deeply caramelized. Increase heat if crispy texture is desired.
- Combine and serve: Remove bay leaves from rice and lentil pot. Stir in about two-thirds of the caramelized onions. Reserve the remaining onions for garnish. Serve in bowls topped with extra caramelized onions, dairy-free yogurt if desired, and fresh parsley or cilantro.
Notes
- Soaking brown rice and lentils helps achieve even cooking and tender texture.
- White rice can be substituted but may require less cooking time and water.
- Adjust salt and spices according to taste preference.
- Caramelizing onions slowly is key to developing sweet, rich flavor.
- Serve with dairy-free yogurt or fresh herbs for added freshness and creaminess.
