Mujadara: Pilaf with Brown Lentils, Caramalized Onions, and Bulgur (or Rice)
Mujadara is a mildly spiced, traditional middle-eastern dish of whole brown or green lentils and rice or bulgur cooked with caramalized onions. All this hearty vegan dish needs as an accompaniment is some cold some salad or then Yogurt (or Labneh).PS: As shortcut, I used store-bought Birista (the thinly cut, crisp, deep-fried, caramalised onions we use for Biryani).
Equipment
- Heavy-bottomed Wok
- Colander
- Bowl
- Spatula
- Chopping Board and Knife
Ingredients
- 3/4 Cup Brown Lentils Green Lentils ((I used Whole Masoor))
- 1/2 Cup Bulgur
- 1 Cup Birista (crisp, caramelized onions) (Or 3 Cups thinly-sliced onions)
Spices
- 1 tsp Cumin Powder
- 1 tsp Red Chilli Powder
- 1/2 tsp Pepper Powder (Optional)
Other Ingredients
- 3 Cups Water
- 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (0.25 Cups if you are caramelizing onions
- Mint Leaves for Garnish
- Salt to Taste
Instructions
- Wash 3/4 cup whole masoor (brown lentils) well under running water and set aside to drain in a colander.
Caramalizing the Onions:
- Slice 4 big Onions into thin slices. This is about 3 cups of sliced onions.
- In a heavy bottomed vessel, over medium-flame, heat about 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil.
- Add the sliced onions and stir-fry the onions till they turn golden brown and crisp.
If You Are Using Birista:
- In a heavy-bottomed vessel, over medium flame, heat 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil.
- Add 1 Cup Birista and stir-fry for a few seconds.
Rest of the Steps
- To the caramalised onions, add 1/2 tsp Paprika or Red Chilli Powder and some salt, and mix well.
- Remove about 1/2 of the fried onions and set aside.
- Now, add 1/2 tsp chilli powder and some more salt to the remaining onions and mix well.
- Next add the rinsed and drained brown lentils (Masoor) and 1 tsp cumin powder, and mix well.
- Add 3 cups water and some salt.
- Bring the mix to a boil.
- When the water starts to boil, add 1/2 cup whole bulgur and mix well.
- Over medium heat, cover and cook for 10 to 15 minutes till the lentils and bulgur are both well-cooked and all the water is absorbed.
- {Optional} Add 1/2 tsp pepper powder and mix well.
Serving the Mujadara
- Divide the Mujadara into 3 or 4 portions.
- Garnish each portion with some caramalised onions that we set aside earlier, and finely chopped mint leaves, if you so wish.
- Serve warm Mujadara with cold Yogurt or Labneh.
Nutrition
Calories: 340 kcalCarbohydrates: 41 gProtein: 12 gFat: 15 gSaturated Fat: 4 gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1 gMonounsaturated Fat: 5 gSodium: 721 mgPotassium: 439 mgFiber: 14 gSugar: 1 gVitamin A: 274 IUVitamin C: 2 mgCalcium: 39 mgIron: 4 mg