Mjadara (Rice with Lentils)

My childhood nemesis! And here we are many years later. This time around my friend-enemy, more friend than enemy. In fact is a dish that I crave often, and it is one often one of those dishes that transports me to various places, at times reminiscing my youth, eating quickly, gobbling it down to go play outside. Some other times, lunch time with my grandparents, and hearing them bickering at each other (Loveling bickering at each other). Or even feeding it to my little brother as toddler.

Growing up it was not a dish I liked, somehow through the years that has absolutely change. My hope is to share this simple recipe that is pack with flavour and nutritiousness.

This recipes yields 6 portions.

Ingredients:

3 cups of white rice (rinsed & drained)

3 cups of brown dry lentils (rinsed and drained)

3 big onions (diced finely and divided into two)

200gr. minced meat (optional)

1 teaspoon of cumin powder

1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder

Salt & Pepper

1 tablespoon of AP flour

Vegetable oil

Olive Oil

Directions:

Boil the lentils until down until cooked, drain and keep aside.
In another pan add enough olive oil to fry the one part of the onions until browned, then add the minced meat. Add the rice, and spices sauté for a few minutes and add water to cook, let it simmer for 10 minutes, once the water has partially evaporated, add the lentil salt and pepper. Turn heat off and cover, let finish cooking with the residual heat.
In a bowl add the rest of the onions, and sprinkle the flour. In a pan heat the vegetable enough to fry the floured onions until crispy brown. Serve on top of the rice pilaff.

Tips: