Mujadara Lentils And Rice ~ Instant Pot

Mujadara Lentils And Rice

Ingredients
1 cup basmati rice, washed 
1 cup green or brown lentils, soaked overnight
2 large onions, diced
2 tablespoons olive oil 
1/2 cup parsley
2 1/2 cups water or vegetable broth 
salt to taste
1/2 tablespoon ground cumin
1/2 tablespoon ground coriander 
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (optional)
2 minced garlic cloves

Directions:
Soak the lentils overnight.

Instant Pot Mujadara Recipe
Heat oil in Instant Pot using the saute function. Add the half moon sliced onions and saute until the onions caramelize. Remove the onions and keep them aside for garnishing.

In the same pot add the remaining oil and finely chopped onions and saute.

Add the cumin, cinnamon,coriander powder, chili powder. Add soaked, drained lentils and rinsed rice to the pot.

Pour in either vegetable broth or water
Close the lid and seal the vent.

Pressure cook for 6 minutes and allow pressure to naturally release.

Garnish with remaining caramelized onions and parsley.
Serve with yogurt or salad.

*****

Stove Top Mujadara Recipe

When cooking on the stove top you cook the lentils and rice in one pot and while the rice and lentils are cooking, you caramelize the onions parallely. The amount of water or broth required to cook is a total of 4 cups.

1. In a dutch oven or in a soup pot, heat the oil. Add the cumin, cinnamon, coriander powder, and chili powder and cook until fragrant.
2. Then add the finely chopped onions and saute until the onions become soft, fragrant and ready. 
3. Next add in 4 cups of water and bring it to boil. Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to medium.
4. Add the presoaked lentils and rice, stir the onions lentils and rice. Cover with a lid and cook on low heat for until the water is absorbed. This should take approximately 25 minutes. 
5. Meanwhile make the caramelized onions for the topping. Heat some oil in a skillet and add the moon shaped onions and cook on medium heat until they caramelize and the edges start getting crispy and dark. 



6. Lastly when the lentils and rice are cooked, add the caramelized onions and topping and relish this Mujadara preparation. 

Notes

• Soaking Lentils - Do not skip this step. I have explained the reason in my post above.
• Lentil Variety - Green or brown lentils work. Make sure to soak them overnight and then cook so they match the cooking time with rice.
• Spices - Cumin, coriander powder, chili powder, cinnamon.
• Liquid - The amount of liquid differs when pressure cooking versus cooking on stove top.