Mujaddara

Every culture has a few one pot dishes that are easy to make and are super satisfying. These dishes usually consist of a carbohydrate and some sort of protein. Mujaddara contains both and also has the added benefit of being vegetarian. It’s one of my favourite go to recipes for when I want a simple yet tasty meal. I like it with a dollop of yoghurt and a generous sprinkling of slightly tangy sumac on the side. The lentils should be soft, yet still maintain a little of their shape. Traditionally brown lentils are used but I like to use red split lentils because they’re the ones I often cook and have on hand. Plus they cook very quickly.

Ingredients (serves 4)

200g red split lentils

200g basmati rice

2 medium onions, finely sliced

80ml oil

1 stick cinnamon

2 cardamom pods

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp ground cumin

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

1 bay leaf

½ tsp chilli powder

¼ paprika

1 1/2 tsp salt

Method

Rinse lentils and place in a pan and cover with water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Rinse and drain the rise and set aside.

In a separate pan heat the oil on medium high heat and add the cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and bay leaf. Once you hear the cumin seeds make a popping sounds – about 30 seconds add the onions and salt.

Cook the onions for 12-15 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crisp up. Turn the heat to low and using a slotted spoon remove half of the fried onions to a dish and reserve for later.

Turn the heat to medium and stir in the ground spices and cook for about 1 minute. Add the rice and stir gently to toast the rice slightly. This will take 2-3 minutes. Cover the rice with boiling water which comes up an inch above the rice and bring to the boil. Simmer on medium heat for 7-8 minutes and stir once.

Reduce the heat to very low. Layer on the reserved caramelised onions and lentils on top of the rice and cover.

Cook for 15-20 minutes until you see steam rising from the pan steadily. Leave to rest for 5 minutes. Taste the rice for seasoning. When you are ready to eat, very gently mix the rice, onions and lentils and serve with a dollop of Greek yogurt and if desired a sprinkle of sumac.

Inspired by Aarti Sequeir