Mujadara Rice

Mujadara is a popular side dish in Israel and throughout the Middle East made of rice and lentils topped with fried onions. Serve alongside chicken or meat.

Mujadara is believed to have originated in the Middle Ages in the area which is today called Iraq.

It is also is said to have been inspired by lentil dish Jacob used to buy Esau's birthright.

The original recipe contained rice, lentils, and meat and was served this way during celebrations. However, a vegetarian version was commonly eaten by the poor.

Today, the vegetarian version is much more commonly found in Israel and throughout the Arab world. 

In Israel it is served in restaurants and hot lunches alike.

Mujadara can be made white or yellow. 

In Israeli restaurants in New York I’ve only seen the white version served on the side of Chicken Shawarma and often with Israeli salad. 

In Israel, on the other hand, the yellow version is much more common and I’ve usually seen it as a side to some sort of meat.

Can I leave out the onions?

Yes. Though every recipe I’ve seen includes them, I’ve often seen it served without them. 

I actually prefer it without them because I find their flavor a little too dominating for a side dish.

HOW TO STORE RICE

Transfer the cooled, cooked rice into an airtight storage container or a resealable plastic bag.  Make sure to remove as much air from the bag as possible before sealing it. 

Store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

HOW TO FREEZE RICE

Transfer the cooled, cooked rice into a resealable freezer bag, making sure to remove as much air from the bag as possible before sealing. 

Store for up to 6 months.  After that, it is still safe to eat, but the quality begins to degrade.

REHEATING RICE

FROM THE FRIDGE

When reheating, place the rice in a pot, sprinkle a teaspoon of water over the top to help loosen stuck, dried grains, then place. 

Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly to keep the grains moving, but be careful not to mash them.

FROM FREEZER

Frozen grains can be added directly to hot dishes like stir-fries.  If you’re planning on eating it on its own, follow the steps above.

SNAFU

The first time I made mujadara I tried using orange lentils because I thought they'd look nice against the white rice. However, the cooked into a yellow that did not look very good.

On my second attempt, I used black lentils which were recommended to me. This came out worse than the yellow lentils because it turned the rice a blackish gray.

On my third try, I used the black lentils again but added the turmeric which I had chosen to leave out the first time. This turned the dish an ugly green!

Recipes you may also like:

• Israeli Red Rice
• Lebanese Rice Vermicelli
• Mexican Red Rice
• Rice Pudding
• Chicken Fried Rice