Mujaddara

Mujaddara is a Levantine dish consisting of cooked lentils together with grains, generally rice or bulgur, and often garnished with caramelized onions. It is a staple food throughout the Arab world, considered a humble but hearty and nutritious meal. The proportions of lentils, grains, and onions vary regionally. Some variations include spices such as cumin, coriander, or mint. Different methods of cooking are employed, with some recipes calling for pre-soaking the lentils and grains, while others involve cooking everything together in one pot. Mujaddara can be served hot or cold, often with yogurt or a simple salad on the side. The dish is also popular among Jewish communities of Middle Eastern descent, particularly Sephardic Jews, often prepared during times of mourning or as a vegetarian option. The name "mujaddara" comes from the Arabic word for "pitted," referring to the resemblance of the lentils to smallpox scars.