A rice and lentils pilaf that is so easy to make and delicious too. It’s flavorsome and packed with nutrients. It happens to be vegan and gluten free too!
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This recipe was one of my first recipes here on the blog, when I was eager to share recipes from my own heritage. Recipes that I make often and truly love and more important means much to me more than it’s health benefits and tastes. It meant HOME ! That was my line!
” I started a series “Arabic cuisine” featuring my traditional food. Today the dish is Mujaddrah ” .
And I’m re sharing this, to give it better photos, and because I know you will love it as much as I do!
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Since I was young, I loved Mujaddrah. But let’s be honest, it wasn’t a family favorite, that everyone dreamed of! But I did! And still in love with this healthy meal. I used to help mom making it. It’s very easy to make, no sophisticated culinary skills needed it. And pairing it with yogurt is a good way to boost protein, or just a salad to make it tastes fresh.
It is a comfort food really, but I can’t deny the truth, that some days I hated Mujaddrah. Because that means, its the day when we won’t eat meat, or chicken. These days I’m longing for the day I cook Mujaddrah. It’s vegan, gluten free, and minimal. So having a delicious meal, and doing a favor for our beautiful planet ,That’s what I called a double win.
Some people like Mujaddrah mushy, others like it just cooked to the right extent. I made it mushy many times, but that’s because I’m lazy! And probably was doing something else besides cooking (Which was usually reading, or browsing). I didn’t really keep an eye on it. But that before, when I didn’t have a beautiful kid running around. Now I do keep an eye on the food, because , Really let’s face it, I have no time to make another if something bad happened! But this time it was really as it should be, fluffy, soft, moist and in a good shape!
Lentils
They are very fulfilling beans, very nutritious ones. High in protein, and fiber. And have good amounts of minerals like Iron, zinc, and manganese. Also, B Vitmains like Folate. Its a complex carbohydrates, but with medium glycemic index value. Click here for more recipes with lentils.
Mujaddrah is a white rice mixed with lentils. But since it’s not very nutritious, comparing to a brown, or wild one. You can add your preferred type, just remember that white rice has less arsenic than brown one.
Some people cook it with bulgur . Actually, I remember mom making a bulgur one for my brother. And it seems the popular one with other bloggers too! Since obviously bulgur is more nutritious than white rice. Here is a talented blogger Faith Grosky created this dish,check here the great looking Mujaddarh Burghul.
Enjoy
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Arabic Rice and Lentils (Mujaddara)
Ingredients
- Half cup of lentils
- 1 cup of White Rice (Short Grain).
- 2 Cups of Water.
- Spice (Cumin, Black pepper, Salt, Sumac is optional).
- Salad, or yogurt for the side.
- 2 Tb Olive Oil divided
- Half small onion thin sliced
Instructions
- Soak rice for an hr in a hot water or couple of hours in cold water.
- Put lentils in large pot, add water, let them on medium heat for half an hour or until the lentils are soft.
- Add rice when the water become half amount, or even less.
- Add cumin, salt and black pepper.
- Let it on medium heat until the water is all absorbed.
- Leave it for 10 minutes on very low heat, so the rice will cook through. Add 1 Tb Olive oil (This is optional. But I strongly recommend it, you don't want the dish to be bland)
- Cut the onion, slice it very thing.
- Heat a skillet on medium heat, add olive oil, onions, add Sumac, and leave until it golden brown, and soft.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 183Total Fat: 7gCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 4gProtein: 6g
Have you tried Mujaddrah before? Did you like it? If not, would you try it?
