MUJADDARA (LENTILS & RICE WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS) #DINNER #SIMPLEFOOD
Is it true that you know about mujadarra? It's an excellent dish layered with lentils and rice at the base, trailed via caramelized onions (the more, the better), and ideally a few velvety or fiery sauces as an afterthought.
Mujadarra is served over the Middle East in different structures and passes by contrasting names, contingent upon where you are. It's one of my preferred things to arrange at Middle Eastern eateries, and this formula tastes simply like it.
In case you're not sold at this point on mujadarra yet, let me reveal to you that it's a genuinely cheap vegan feast that would create an impression at your next social gathering.
It's additionally uncommon eating routine inviting, since it's sans gluten and effectively veggie lover/dairy free (just serve hummus or tahini sauce as an afterthought rather than yogurt).
Ultimately, mujadarra is amusing to make! Need to figure out how?
INGREDIENTS :
- 4 medium cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 ¾ teaspoons fine sea salt, divided
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 5 cups water
- 1 cup brown* basmati rice, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup regular brown or green lentils**, picked over for debris, rinsed and drained
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 medium yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
- ½ cup thinly sliced green onions (from 1 bunch), divided
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, divided
- Plain whole-milk or Greek yogurt, for serving
- Spicy sauce, for serving (optional): shatta or zhoug or store-bought chili-garlic sauce or even sriracha
INSTRUCTIONS :
- In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, combine the garlic, bay leaves, cumin, 1 ½ teaspoons of the salt and about 20 twists of freshly ground black pepper. Add 5 cups water and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, stir in the rice and reduce the heat to medium. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a controlled simmer, for 10 minutes.
- Stir in the lentils and let the mixture return to a simmer. Cover again, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the rice and lentils are tender, about 20 to 23 minutes.
- Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s warm enough that a slice of onion sizzles on contact, add the remaining onions. Stir to combine.
- Stir only every 3 minutes or so at first, then more often once the onions at the edges of the pan start browning. If the onions are browning before they have softened, dial down the heat to give them more time. Cook until the onions are deeply caramelized and starting to crisp at the edges, about 20 to 30 minutes. In the meantime, line a large plate or cutting board with a couple paper towels.
- Using a slotted spoon or fish spatula, transfer the onions to the lined plate and spread them evenly across. Sprinkle the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt over the onions. They’ll crisp up as they cool.
- When the lentils and rice are done cooking, drain off any excess water (if there is any) and return the mixture to the pot, off the heat. Lay a kitchen towel across the top of the pot to absorb steam, then cover the pot and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Remove the lid, discard the bay leaves, and smash the garlic cloves against the side of the pan with a fork. Add about ¾ths of the green onions and cilantro, reserving the rest for garnish. Gently stir and fluff the rice with a fork. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if necessary.
- Transfer the rice and lentil mixture to a large serving platter or bowl. Top with the caramelized onions and the remaining green onions and cilantro. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature, with yogurt and spicy sauce (optional) on the side.
NOTES :
- RICE NOTES: You can find brown basmati rice (Lundberg brand) at most well-stocked grocery stores, in the rice or health food section. You can also find it at Trader Joe’s, but be sure to buy the regular (not quick-cook) variety. To make this recipe with white basmati rice instead, cook the lentils in the boiling water first for about 10 minutes (until somewhat softened on the outside/still firm in the middle), then add the rice and cook until both lentils and rice are tender, about 25 minutes.
- LENTIL NOTES: You want to use standard-issue brown or green lentils, not fancy French green or black beluga lentils. Those have different cooking times, which won’t work with these instructions.
For more detail : http://bit.ly/2GvxgLI
