If you're looking for a nutritious, delicious, and inexpensive dinner meal, then you've got to try Bulgur Mujadara! This Middle Eastern dish features bulgur wheat, perfectly cooked lentils, and crispy fried onions for the tastiest lentil-based dish you'll ever have!
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Bulgur Mujadara is a traditional Middle Eastern dish that combines bulgur wheat, and lentils. It is a hearty and flavorful meal that can be a side dish or main course. This vegan-friendly dish is easy to make and packed with nutrition.
Bulgur Mujadara is high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy and satisfying meal. It is also incredibly versatile, as it can be served with a variety of accompaniments such as yogurt, cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs. It's truly a delicious and nutritious dish that will please even the pickiest eaters!
🥘 INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED
Making this delicious Middle Eastern dish requires only the simplest of ingredients. Let's look at what these are.
You can scroll down to the recipe card for further details and instructions.
Bulgur: Bulgur wheat is an important part of mujadara. It is made from whole wheat kernels that have been steamed, dried, and cracked. This process gives the bulgur wheat a chewy texture and nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the lentils.
Lentils: Lentils are the star of this dish and provide a great source of protein. They should be cooked until they are tender, but not mushy. We'll be using green lentils in this recipe.
Onions: Onions add flavor and texture to the dish. They should be fried until golden brown and crispy for the best flavor and for an authentic Bulgur Mujadara.
🔪 HOW TO MAKE
It's incredibly easy to make Bulgur Mujadara from scratch. Let's look at what the steps are to make it at home.
The full instructions are in the recipe card below, but let's look at the main steps to making this treat.
Step 1:
Start by washing and soaking the bulgur and lentils separately for 15 minutes.
Step 2:
Then, in a pan, add the olive oil, and when it gets hot, add the onion and cook until the onion turns light brown. The onion will get a little dark since it will continue cooking after removing it from the heat. Set it aside for now.
Step 3:
In a pot, add the water and let it come to a boil, then add the chicken bouillon. Add the drained lentils and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes.
Step 4:
Next, add the drained bulgur, stir for a few seconds, and cook on medium for 3 minutes. Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 7 minutes.
Step 5:
Add the previously fried onion and mix with the bulgur and lentils, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to the lowest. Cook for 10 minutes.
Your delicious Bulgur Mujadara is ready to be served.
💭 COOKING TIPS
- Soak the lentils separately.
- Soaking the lentils and bulgur is essential, it helps them cook properly or they might have a bite to them.
- You can go for either yellow or red onion.
- If you like caramelized onion, then fry a little more to garnish the rice when serving.
- Make sure you are using rough bulgur and not fine.
- You can go for vegetable bouillon if you want this dish to be vegan or vegetarian.
📖 DELICIOUS VARIATIONS
Bulgur Mujadara is a delicious and versatile dish you can enjoy it in many different ways. Here are some delicious variations you can try:
Roasted vegetables: Roast some vegetables such as carrots, peppers, and zucchini to add a burst of flavor to your mujadara.
Herbs and spices: Try adding some fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro, or some spices like cumin and coriander to give your mujadara a unique flavor.
Nuts and seeds: Toasted nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds can add a crunchy texture to your mujadara.
Greek yogurt: Adding a dollop of plain yogurt on top of your mujadara can add a creamy texture and a tangy flavor.
Fried onions: If you want to add an extra crunchy texture, try frying some onions and adding them on top of your mujadara.
💬 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Bulgur Mujadara is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made with bulgur, lentils, and onion. It is a hearty and flavorful dish that can be served as a main course or side dish. The bulgur is cooked in water with the lentils and then mixed with fried onions for added flavor. This dish is often served with yogurt or tahini sauce.
There is an Egyptian dish similar to Mujadara called Koshary, and in Syria, it is called Mudardara. In the Arabian gulf countries, it is called Momawash.
Mujadara has its origins in Mesopotamia, in what is now Iraq. In 1226, the oldest known recipe appeared in the Kitab Al-Tabikh, which literally translates to 'cookbook.' It is a popular dish in many countries, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, and the Gulf region.
🍲 MIDDLE EASTERN RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
🌡️ STORING AND REHEATING
Fridge: You can store any leftovers you may have in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: This dish freezes well for up to 3 months. Place it in a freezer-safe container before popping it in the freezer.
Reheat: Allow it to thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat on the stove on medium-high heat until its heated all the way through. I recommend adding crispy fried onions on top before serving. Caramelize a few fresh onions for the topping.
📖 Recipe
Bulgur Mujadara (Middle Eastern Lentils and Bulgur)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup rough bulgur
- ½ cup green lentils
- 2 cups water
- 1 large onion finely sliced
- 2 chicken bouillon
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Wash and soak the bulgur and lentils SEPARETLY for 15 minutes.
- In a pan, add the olive oil and when hot add the onion and cook until the onion is light brown and keep aside. The onion will get a little dark since it will continue cooking after removing it from heat.
- In a pot, add the water and let it come to a boil add the chicken bouillon. Add the drained lentils and cook on medium fheat or 10 minutes.
- Add the drained bulgur, stir for a few seconds, and cook on medium heat for 3 minutes.
- Cover the pot and reduce the heat to medium low and cook for 7 minutes.
- Add the previously fried onion and mix with the bulgur and lentils, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to the lowest. Cook for 10 minutes.
Video
Notes
- If you like caramelized onion, fry more to garnish the rice when serving.
- Make sure you are using coarse bulgur and not fine.
- You can go for the yellow or red onion.
- Soaking the lentils and bulgur is essential; it helps them cook properly, or they might have a bite to them.
- Soak the lentils separately.
- You can go for vegetable bouillon if you want this dish to be vegan or vegetarian.
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