Mdardara / مدردرة Lentils & Rice with Caramelized Onion

Mdardara is one of the ancient Vegetarian Lebanese dishes, it is basically lentil and rice, cooked together with olive oil, seasoned and garnished with caramelized onions.

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Step 1

Put the rice in a bowl, pour over boiling water from and leave to soak.

Step 2

Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan, add the onions and a large pinch of salt. Cook, stirring every now and then until golden brown and caramelized (you can leave them cooking while you get on with the lentils).

Step 3

Put the lentils in a pan of cold water with the whole garlic head, bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Drain then tip back into a clean pan.

Step 4

Drain the rice and add to the lentil pan with half the caramelized onions and the garlic squeezed out of its skin.

Step 5

Add the stock and cumin with ½ tsp salt then bring everything to a simmer. Cook gently with a lid on for about 12-15 minutes, or until all the stock is absorbed and the rice is tender.

Step 6

Stir through the parsley and serve topped with the rest of the caramelized onions and serve plain yogurt aside.