Mujadara with Bulgur مجدرة مع برغل

Mujadara is a simple Palestinian comfort vegan dish, that is only made out of a few ingredients. Not only it is a delicious dish but very easy to make. The two common ingredients of this dish are brown lentils and rice. However, I’m replacing the rice with bulgur. My mom used to make it with rice all the times, then long time ago, somebody mentioned that they make it with bulgur instead, so I decided to try it with bulgur and ever since I have been only making it with bulgur.

Since it is still lent and I promised only to make vegan dishes, people have been asking for Mujadara.

So here is how to make mujadara:

First, I start by boiling the lentils with water in  a pot. I add tap water to the lentils, and once it starts boiling I cover the pot,  turn the heat on low, and let it simmer. This entire step takes about 15 minutes. Lentils need to be halfway cooked before adding bulgur since they take a longer time to cook. Lentils can be tested by tasting one to make sure they’re a bit softened. Then  add bulgur, cumin powder and salt (please note that bulgur has different levels of thickness, make sure for this dish to have level #3 or #4). Then Stir everything all together and cover the pot again and continue to simmer on low heat for another 20 minutes.

While the pot is still cooking, start prepping the onions. Caramelized onions are a must with this dish, I don’t like to eat this dish without them. They add an extra delicious flavor to the entire dish.

In a separate skillet warm olive oil, then add sliced onions, sauté until they turn brown. Onions need to be more crunchy, it's more like deep frying but without the need of adding too much oil. Once onions are done, set aside and pour whatever oil left in the skillet from caramelized onions into the lentils and bulgur pot. Mix well. This oil is already full of onions flavor, it will give the dish an extra kick. Onions will be placed on top of the mujadarah when it’s ready to be served.

This dish is served with a side of Arabic salad (Arabic salad is finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions mixed dressing made of olive oil, lemon juice, and salt) or a side of plain yogurt, if one is not following a vegan diet.

Here is how to make mujadara with all the details:

Mujadara is served with caramelized onions on top, and a side of Arabic salad (Arabic salad is finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions mixed dressing made of olive oil, lemon juice, and salt) or a side of plain yogurt, if one is not following a vegan diet.

This recipe is enough for 3-4 people.

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