Middle Eastern Rice (Mejadra)

Name: Middle Eastern Rice (Mejadra)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indonesian
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tsp cumin seeds (or 1 tsp ground cumin); 1 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds (or 1 1/2 tsp ground coriander); 1 cup basmati or long grain rice (, uncooked); 1 1/4 cup / 315 ml water ((see notes)); 14 oz / 14 oz canned brown lentils, drained (1 can) (, drained ); 1/2 tsp ground turmeric; 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1 tsp sugar; 1 tsp salt; Black pepper; 3 large or 4 small onions (, very finely sliced); 1 cup / 250 ml vegetable or sunflower oil; Salt

Mejadra is a fragrant Middle Eastern rice pilaf with crunchy fried onion throughout it. This is slightly adapted from a Yotam Ottolenghi recipe, from his wonderful cookbook Jerusalem. The main difference is that he uses dried lentils, I use canned. If you don't have time or don't want to deep fry, s

⏱ 20 min 🔨 Prep 5min 🔥 Cook 15min 📊 Easy 🍽 4 servings ⭐ 4.9 (55) 👁 7

Instructions

Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Add about 1/3 of the onions and cook for 5 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Repeat with remaining onions, in two batches.
Put the olive oil, cumin seeds and coriander in a saucepan over medium heat.
Cook for a couple of minutes until the spices are fragrant.
Add the rice and stir to coat with the oil and spices.
Add the water and lentils.
While it comes to boil, add all the other spices, salt and pepper.
When it comes to a boil, turn it down to medium-low, cover with lid and let cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until all the liquid has mostly been absorbed.
Remove from heat and let it rest for 10 minutes - during this time, any residual liquid will absorb.
Fluff rice with a fork and adjust the seasoning with more salt if you wish.
Just prior to serving, stir through most of the onions and top with remainder. Sprinkle with chopped coriander if desired. Best served warm.

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💰 Cost Estimate

Total Ingredients
$856.00

Per Serving
$214.00/serving

🏠 Savings
~$1712.00 vs buying!

📋 Price Breakdown (86% ingredients detected)

Ingredient	Amount	Subtotal
olive oil	2 tbsp	$42.00
cumin seeds	2 tsp	$71.00
coriander seeds	0.5 tbsp	$81.00
basmati or long grain rice	1 cup	$144.00
/ 315 ml water	0.25 cup	-
/ 14 oz canned brown lentils	14 oz	$276.00
ground turmeric	0.5 tsp	$20.00
ground cinnamon	0.5 tsp	$5.00
sugar	1 tsp	-
salt	1 tsp	$1.00
Black pepper	-	-
or 4 small onions	3 large	$149.00
/ 250 ml vegetable or sunflower oil	1 cup	$67.00
Salt	-	-