
Syrian style Mujaddara
'Mujaddara', also known as 'Mejadra' or 'Mudardara', consists of cooked
lentils together with
wheat or
rice, garnished with
onions that have been sauteed in
olive oil.
Cooked lentils are popular all over the Middle East and form the basis of many dishes. ''Mujaddara'' is a popular Levantine dish, and may be served on its own or with other vegetables and side dishes: it is equally good hot and cold. This dish is a main staple of the Lebanese and Palestinian diet today, both in the Middle East and in America. At one time it was regarded as a poor man's dish, but today it is considered a high protein, balanced healthy food by many Americans. It is sometimes nicknamed "Esau's favourite", after the Biblical story of
Esau selling his birthright for a "mess of pottage".
Jews from Syria and
Egypt traditionally ate it twice a week: hot on Thursday evening, and cold on Sunday.
It has two variants, yellow and brown. Red split lentils are used in the yellow one, and green lentils are used in the brown one.
A similar dish known as
Khichdi (cf.
kedgeree) is popular in the
Indian subcontinent and among the Indian community in the
United Kingdom.
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