Mujadara
Mujadara is one of the tastiest ways to enjoy lentils and rice. This shortcut version uses mostly already-cooked components but the results are just as satisfying.
If you had a chance to see my recipe for lentils a few days ago then you saw the teaser image I shared about my favorite way to enjoy them and I hope it piqued your interest enough to look at today’s recipe . Beans and rice–or in this case, lentils and rice–is as basic as it gets when it comes to food but the combination packs a punch both in flavor and nutrition. And the legume/grain combination is not just a Latin or Caribbean staple.
What is Mujadara?
Mujadara, majadra, mejadra, mujadarra: there may be as many different spelling variations as there are versions of this Middle Eastern classic. Mujadara is simply lentils and rice garnished with fried onions. Sometimes cooked with spices, other times not, it’s a humble dish that can be eaten on its own, as a side dish, cold, warm, at room temperature, with yogurt or without.
My favorite neighborhood falafel spot serves mujadara and when one day I decided to skip my usual falafel wrap in favor of falafels a la carte with a side of lentils and rice, I declared it one of the best decisions I’d ever made after taking one bite. Mujadara is so much more than the sum of its parts and it has become my go-to way to eat lentils over the years.
How to Cook Mujadara
The traditional preparation for mujadara involves par-cooking lentils separately before they are combined in a pot with uncooked rice to finish cooking together. Crispy fried onion slices are then added as a topping. Simple and straightforward.
Shortcut Mujadara
My recipe below takes advantage of using already-cooked lentils and rice (which are conveniently always available in my refrigerator) and briefly heating them in a skillet together. The lentils in my recipe have been infused with enough flavor while they cooked on their own so there’s plenty to share with leftover rice. If you use lentils that have not been cooked in spices and/or stock you can add seasonings when you stir-fry them together.
Using previously-cooked lentils and rice, the only component that needs to be prepared is the onion topping. Tradition calls for crispy fried onion slices but at my local falafel place they’re soft, mildly caramelized and get the credit for making their mujadara special.
The onion component takes roughly 20 minutes on the stove but it’s easy work and again, the mujadara wouldn’t be the same without it. In a pinch you can probably use store-bought fried onions or shallots but I highly recommend cooking them yourself for the tastiest results.
If you have not tried mujadara before you might be surprised by how satisfying a humble trio of lentils, rice and onions can be but once you taste it you’ll quickly add mujadara to your regular rotation. In these pictures I’ve served it with a simple tomato-cucumber salad and garnished it with parsley but you really don’t need anything else–mujadara is loaded with star power on its own.
Mujadara
This is a shortcut version of classic mujadara because the recipe uses already-cooked rice and lentils but the results are no less delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked white rice (brown is okay, too)
- 1 1/2-2 cups cooked lentils (see note to click on my recipe)
- 1 onion, halved and sliced thinly in half circles
- olive oil
- chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
- pinch kosher salt
Instructions
Cook the Onions
-
Heat two to three tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are caramelized and golden, about 20 minutes. Season with a pinch or two of kosher salt as they cook. Watch your heat to prevent burning. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Prepare and Assemble the Mujadara
-
Heat two to three tablespoons of olive oil in the same skillet over medium high heat. Add the lentils and rice and stir-fry until heated through, three to five minutes. Arrange on a platter, top with the caramelized onions, garnish with chopped parsley (if using) and serve.
Recipe Notes
Click here for my lentil recipe.
I just had lunch at a Syrian restaurant in Los Angeles. We ordered this dish and loved it. The onions are essential! It’s funny though the Syrian spelling drops the u. The menu says mjadara. I wonder if it’s a typo or a language thing. GREG
This is fabulous. I’ve never seen that word before. But then, that’s why I follow blogs. So much to learn! Beautiful photos.