Middle Eastern Barley Lentil Rice Casserole Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN RICE (MEJADRA)

Steps:

• 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.

LEBANESE LENTILS, RICE AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS (MUJADARA)

Steps:

• Throw the lentils into a medium saucepan. Fill with enough cold water to cover the lentils by about an inch. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn down to a simmer and cook until the lentils are tender but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Meanwhile, as the lentils cook, grab a large skillet. Pop it over medium-high heat and add the oil. Allow the oil to warm for a minute, then drop in the cumin seeds and cracked peppercorns and cook, shaking the pan once in a while until the cumin seeds darken a touch, about 1 minute.
• Add the onions, sprinkle with a dash of salt and cook until they turn dark caramel brown, stirring often. This will take about 15 minutes. Splash the onions with a little water if they stick to the bottom of the pan. You'll know they're done both by their deep chestnut color and by the slight crispiness developing on some of the onions.
• Using a slotted spoon or spatula, remove about half of the onions to a paper towel-lined plate; these are for garnish later. Sprinkle in the ground cumin, cayenne and then add the cinnamon stick; saute about 1 minute.
• Add the rice and cook, stirring often (but gently so you don't break the rice!) until some rice grains start to brown. Quickly, add the cooked lentils, 3 cups of water and 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt; bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low so that the pan is at a simmer, cover and cook 30 minutes. The water should be completely evaporated and rice should be tender. (If there's still too much water in the bottom, put the lid back on and cook for another 5 minutes.)
• Turn off the heat, keep the lid on, and allow the rice to steam undisturbed for about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts, if using, in a small skillet over medium-low heat, shaking often, about 5 minutes.
• Taste the rice for seasoning. Serve with the reserved caramelized onions, toasted pine nuts, if using, and a little squeeze of lemon juice. I also like to serve this with some dollops of Greek yogurt.

RICE AND LENTIL CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, brown the sausage until no pink shows. Stir in the onion and green pepper, and saute until the onions are tender. Stir in the lentils, rice and chicken broth. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 40 to 60 minutes.

MIDDLE EASTERN BARLEY, LENTIL, & RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a medium-large saucepan (I used a 2Q pan and it was just right; I've also sauteed in water instead of oil).
• Add onion and garlic; cook& stir 2 min.
• Stir in cinnamon, sugar, and 4 c water.
• Add lentils and barley.
• Bring to boil on med heat; reduce heat to low.
• Cover and simmer gently for 20 min.
• Add rice, apricots, raisins, and mint; stir.
• Simmer, covered, 20 more min or until all the ingredients are tender and have absorbed the liquid.
• Season to taste with pepper.

MIDDLE EASTERN RICE AND LENTILS

Steps:

• Toss the carrots with the lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon each cumin and salt, and a few grinds of black pepper in a bowl; set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until deep golden brown, about 12 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove about half of the onion to a paper towel-lined plate; set aside.
• Add the garlic, cinnamon, cayenne and the remaining 1 3/4 teaspoons cumin to the pan with the remaining onion. Cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in the rice and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Add 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, about 18 minutes.
• Stir the lentils into the rice. Serve topped with the reserved carrot mixture and onion, the yogurt and cilantro.

LENTIL & BROWN RICE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet heat canola oil and gently saute the onions. Add all remaining ingredients except the cheese. Mix well and pour into the casserole dish. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake at 375 F for 30 minutes. Serve hot as a main dish.