Lebanese Lentils, Rice, and Caramelized Onions (Mujadara) Recipe

Lebanese Lentils, Rice, and Caramelized Onions (Mujadara)

• Level: Easy
• Servings: 6
• Nutritional Information per Serving (1 of 6): Calories 422, Total Fat 22 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Carbohydrates 46 g, Dietary Fiber 5 g, Sugar 4 g, Protein 12 g, Cholesterol 3 mg, Sodium 365 mg
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 min
• Prep Time: 5 min
• Cook Time: 1 hr 20 min

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown or green lentils (avoid lentils du Puy), checked for debris and rinsed
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked black peppercorns
• 3 medium red onions, thinly sliced
• Kosher salt
• 3/4 cup basmati rice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 (1-inch) cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts (optional)
• Fresh lemon juice, for squeezing
• Greek yogurt, for serving (optional)

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1. Place lentils in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water about an inch above. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook until tender but firm, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add olive oil and warm for 1 minute. Stir in cumin seeds and cracked black peppercorns; cook, shaking the pan, until seeds darken, about 1 minute.
3. Add sliced onions, sprinkle with salt, and stir frequently until deeply caramelized to a rich dark brown with crispy edges, about 15 minutes. Splash water if they stick.
4. Reserve half the onions on a paper towel-lined plate for garnish. To the skillet, add ground cumin, cayenne, and cinnamon stick; saut 1 minute.
5. Gently stir in rice until some grains brown. Add cooked lentils, 3 cups water, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Boil, then simmer covered on low for 30 minutes until water absorbs and rice is tender. If needed, cover and cook 5 more minutes.
6. Off heat, lid on, steam 5 minutes undisturbed.
7. If using, toast pine nuts in a small skillet over medium-low, shaking often, about 5 minutes.
8. Season to taste, then serve warm topped with reserved crispy onions, pine nuts, fresh lemon squeeze, and optional Greek yogurt. Dive into this vegan treasureearthy lentils, fluffy rice, and sweet-savory onions await!