4 Awesome Recipes From The Middle East

Mujaddara (Rice With Lentils)(3 of 4)

Every country and region in the Middle East has their own lentil and rice recipe. It is great comfort food, which is sweet and earthy, and often topped with caramelized onions. It is a favorite amongst Syrian and Lebanese families, who often eat it with a lemony salad.

Ingredients

• 80ml olive oil
• 80g long-grain rice, washed well and drained
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 185g brown lentils
• 25 litres water
• 1 medium brown onion, finely diced
• ½ tsp cumin

Serves 4 to 6 people

Preparation

1. First heat some oil in a pan and fry the diced onion until they turn soft. Now add half the water and lentils to bring it to a boil. Then turn the heat down and cover to let it simmer for 15 minutes or until the lentils are cooked. Now add some rice, mix it well and cook for 15 minutes. Stir it frequently and add water gradually until it is absorbed.
2. The dish will be ready when the lentils have broken down to a puree and the rice grains have swollen or almost burst. It will look like a khaki brown porridge.
3. Now add the cumin and stir it well. Heat the remaining oil and then cook the sliced onions over a low to medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes, until they are caramelized. Now serve at room temperature and garnish it with onions.