Mujadara

Mujadara is cracked bulgar wheat cooked until fragrant with boiled lentils.  When buying bulgar pay attention to the size of the wheat grain.  Selecting the medium to large grain will give you the best results with this dish.  Loaded with iron, fiber and protein, I can't stress the health benefits of mujadara enough.  Caramelize sliced onions and pile on top of your plate to add a sweet and savory flavor.  My girls prefer to accompany it with greek yogurt; I personally have to have some fattoush salad with every bite!

Ingredients:

1cup brown lentils
2 cups bulgar wheat
4 cups water
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Caramelized Onion

2 cups thinly sliced onion
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons canola or any cooking oil
2 tablespoons olive oil



Rinse lentils, place in pot with about 3 cups of water, bring to a boil and cook until the lentil is just tender, but still has a bite to it, approximately 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, slice the onions paper thin and set aside.

Measure out the bulgar wheat in a bowl, submerge in water and let sit for a few minutes.  Pour off the water and rinse.  When the lentils are done, pour the water remaining in the pot into a measuring cup.  We want to add this water back to the pot.

Throw the bulgar in with the lentils and pour in a total of 4 cups of water, including the remaining lentil water.  Add the spices, and bring to a boil.  Set the heat to low, cover and cook until the bulgar is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

While the bulgar is cooking, heat up the oil in a pan for the onions.  Slide the sliced onion into the pan and cook until they begin to brown, stirring every once in awhile.  Continue to cook and stir with a wooden spoon until the onions turn a deep brown color.

 Drain on a plate lined with a paper towel, but remember to save the oil.

When the bulgar is finished steaming, uncover the pot and fluff with a fork.  Pour the reserved onion oil over the bulgar wheat and stir.  Serve the mujadara and garnish generously with the caramelized onion.