MUJADARA
This traditional recipe from the Levant area also known as Mujaddara or Mujadara, is a great recipe made of three main ingredients: lentils, rice, and onions. Although, you can find some variations of this lovely recipe including other ingredients; such as meat, the recipe here will only have vegan ingredients.
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE MUJADARA RECIPE
This simple, filling, and comforting Middle Eastern rice dish is also an affordable and wonderful recipe on a low budget. Furthermore, this delicious recipe is not only vegan friendly but it’s also a gluten-free recipe.
For this mujadara recipe, you will need three main easy-to-find and affordable ingredients to make this Lebanese dish. Those ingredients are onions, rice, and lentils. As simple as these mujadara ingredients are, you can use a variation of the authentic mujadara recipe ones, and use the ingredients you already have at home.
ONIONS
For this recipe, I used white onions as they were the ones I had at home when making this recipe; however, you can try other types of onions or onion mixture depending on your preferences or stock. Moreover, if you wish, you can use two or more types of onions for the mujadara recipe itself and if you want to garnish this recipe when serving; for example, use caramelized onions, crispy caramelized onions, crispy onions, or fried crispy onion garnish.
- Sweet onions.
- Yellow onions.
- Shallots.
Additionally, when serving this mujadara recipe, you can sprinkle fresh chopped chives or green onions/spring onions.
RICE
I used white basmati rice for this delicious recipe. As I said before, it was the one I had at home and the one I loved to cook with.
- Brown rice/regular brown rice.
- White rice.
- Jasmine rice.
- Long grain white rice.
In addition to this, an alternative or to use with you can also add bulgur wheat to this recipe.
LENTILS
For this recipe I used green lentils; however, you can try other lentils options, or if you wish you can try two types of lentils together. For example, brown or green lentils.
- Black lentils.
- Brown lentils.
- Green lentils.
- Yellow lentils.
- Canned lentils (I haven’t tried this option myself, but if you do tell us in the comment section how it went).
Lastly, the idea of giving you options to make this mujadara recipe is to adapt it to your needs, preferences, and budget so you don’t feel pressure that if you don’t have a specific ingredient then you cannot make this recipe. Feel free to be creative with the ingredients you already have and make an affordable and wonderful recipe.
SEASONING FOR MUJADARA RECIPE
This delicious recipe has the great flavor of caramelized onions; however, I decided to add ground cumin and salt and the result was amazing. If you wish, you can add other seasonings too. Check the following list for more seasoning ideas.
- Lemon juice.
- Black pepper.
- Hot sauce.
- Kosher salt.
- Paprika.
- Vegan plain Greek yogurt.
- Fresh herbs; such as parsley and coriander.
The seasonings included in the list can also be used to garnish this mujadara recipe when serving this great dish.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH MUJADARA RECIPE
This mujadara recipe can be served as a main dish together with some lovely vegan dishes. For example, you can serve mujadara with fresh salads:
In addition to this, you can also serve this dish with roasted or sauteed vegetables.
Lastly, you can just serve this vegan dish together with pita bread or vegan garlic bread too.
THIS MUJADARA RECIPE GOES WELL WITH:
- Also, try this mujadara recipe with a green salad.
MUJARADA RECIPE
Delicious, affordable, and easy to make this vegan Mujadara recipe. With just three main ingredients make a healthy main dish.
Ingredients
- 300 gr. of Lentils.
- 200 gr. of Rice.
- 1 Litre of Water.
- 3 Onions.
- 3 Tbsp. of Extra virgin olive oil.
- ½ Tsp. of Ground cumin.
- ¼ Tsp. of Himalayan salts.
Instructions
CARAMELIZED ONIONS
- Peel and cut the onions.
- Place the sliced onions (or diced) in a large pot at medium heat. Pour three tbsp. of extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt.
- Cook the onions by stirring occasionally until the get dark golden brown and deeply caramelized.
MUJADARA
- Cook the lentils partially in 600ml of water (as they will get fully cooked together with the rice), for around 10 minutes.
- In the meantime, wash and rinse the white basmati rice with cold water until the water comes clean. Then, let the rice soak in water for around 10 minutes.
- Place the par cooked lentils and soaked rice in the large pot with the caramelized onions. Stir well.
- Pour 350 ml of water (you can also used the remaining water from the par cooked lentils).
- Cook both the rice and lentils for around 20 minutes a medium heat or until there is no remaining water.
- Once your mujadara is cooked to your taste season it with salt and ground cumin.
- Serve warm and with fresh herbs on top (optional).
Notes
*Check package instructions as some lentils need to be soaked in water for 12 hr or overnight.
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 274Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 2gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 0mgSodium 112mgCarbohydrates 36gFiber 7gSugar 5gProtein 9g
The Nutritional values presented on this table are only estimates. The values can also vary depending on the cooking method, ingredients, product brands etc. This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
MORE LENTILS RECIPE TO TRY
- LENTIL BOLOGNESE.
- RED LENTIL HUMMUS.
- BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND LENTIL SHEPHERD’S PIE.
- LENTIL STEW WITH BROWN RICE.