Bean mujaddara (Mujaddara Hammaniya)
August 17, 2012 • Category: Main Dish
A mujaddara is primarily made with lentils and a starch (usually rice) and flavored with caramelized onions. It is a dish that is very ancient (mentioned in the Old Testament). In any case, it is healthy, rustic, easy to make and easy on the wallet.
In the beautiful village of Hammana (Mount Lebanon range), residents are rightfully proud of their cherries (huge, extra-sweet); they also make mujaddara with local beans instead of lentils and it is just as good and good-for-you as the classic one with lentils. The recipe was published yesterday in the French-language daily L’Orient-le-Jour and I decided to make it right away (slightly adapted). Mrs Marie Choueiri who gave the recipe said that it was taught to her by her mother-in-law when she got married as an entrance visa into the community.
INGREDIENTS: 8 servings
- 1 pound of beans (Pinto or Northern White beans)
- 3 tbsp of rice (medium-grain is best or any starchy rice like arborio or sushi)
- 4 large onions
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- spices: salt, 1 tbsp; 1 tsp of black pepper;1 tsp of cinnamon; 1/2 tsp of cumin
- 1 tbsp of hot tomato sauce (recipe calls for only 1 tsp)
- 1 tbsp of grape molasses or dark honey (my add)
- Soak the beans in a pot filled with lukewarm water the night before. The next day, empty the water, place the pot over the stove and add fresh tap water to fill the pot and cover the beans. Cook the beans, simmering gently, for about one hour, until they “open up” and are tender. Towards the end of cooking time, add 1/4 cup of rice to the pot. Add salt, pepper, cinnamon, cumin and the spiced tomato sauce.
- Simmer, stirring from time to time to make sure the beans don’t stick to the bottom of the pot; meanwhile, chop the onions; heat 1/2 cup of olive oil in a large skillet and brown the onions in the oil. When the onions are nicely browned, add them to the pot of beans and stir the pot for 15 minutes or so until the moujaddara thickens.
- Transfer to a platter, let it cool and serve at room temperature with a salad of fresh veggies.
Comments
18 Comments • Comments Feed
Angie@Angiesrecipes says:
The bean stew looks very flavourful!
On August 17, 2012 at 2:20 am
Rosa Mayland says:
That looks really good! I cannot resist beans.
Cheers,
Rosa
On August 17, 2012 at 2:41 am
MyLittleExpatKitchen says:
What a wonderful dish Joumana, I had no idea it was that old.
Those cherries at the last photo are huge!
On August 17, 2012 at 4:19 am
Belinda @zomppa says:
Tasty easy and economical? Sounds like a perfect dish! I can see why.
On August 17, 2012 at 4:42 am
Susan says:
Lentils are finding their way onto our table more and more these days. Especially, now that I have found where I can get French lentils locally. I love that chewy, nutty taste. I would love the version with lentils!
Oh my goodness, those are big cherries!
On August 17, 2012 at 10:01 am
Trudy Holtz says:
This looks like a perfect recipe. As it should be, having survived for so long! I think I need to add lentils to next week’s grocery list.
On August 17, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Cherine says:
I love beans!! Should be trying your recipe soon!
On August 19, 2012 at 12:35 am
T.W. Barritt says:
I have often made a lentil and rice dish (from the Frugal Gourmet?) that had caramelized onions, and it was delicious. I love the combination of honey and spices you have here.
On August 19, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Christine says:
This looks very interesting with the different spices and the tomato sauce. I’ve pinned it and I’m looking forward to trying it
On August 19, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Christy says:
Can you please explain when to add the honey? And can Tabasco be used instead of spicy tomato sauce? I looked everywhere and couldn’t find a tomato based hot sauce. Thanks!
On August 22, 2012 at 10:53 am
Joumana says:
@Christy: I added it the last 20 minutes of cooking; as a matter of fact, I also used tabasco as well as tomato paste and it worked out fine.
On August 22, 2012 at 11:29 am
Oui, Chef says:
Healthy indeed, and just loaded with great flavors. I can see making this when tyhe weather turns a touch cooler. The cherries are HUGE!
On August 23, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Nilla says:
This looks great!
I was thinking of doing it with red lentils and white beans, but ahve a question. If i make it using ready made beans, should I skip the simmer-part and go straight to adding rice, the onion and then let it simmer for 15 minutes?
On August 29, 2012 at 7:46 am
Joumana says:
@Nilla: This is a recipe that gets better with slow cooking; yes you can skip the initial simmer part, but i would definitely add the rice and onions and simmer very slowly for the rice to cook and the caramelized onions to infuse the beans or lentils. When the consistency is creamy and thick and it taste is to your liking, turn off the heat transfer to a platter and eat at room temp with a salad. Enjoy!
On August 29, 2012 at 9:55 am
Nilla says:
Joumana: Ah, I understand. Then I’ll definitely get the uncooked beans and lentils and just make some more to stow away in the freezer. Thank you!
On August 30, 2012 at 12:20 am
domi says:
Ça a l’air drôlement bon….
On September 10, 2012 at 11:00 am
Ana says:
Hi!
I’m so happy to find your beatiful site!
I’m from Romania and when I saw your photo with Hammana cheries I remembered our cheries from my grandma yard! They look just the same.. We called it “may cheries” because we could eat them in may. They were very dark on colour and so sweet!
You have great recipes! I love Lebanon and its culture.
Respectfully,
Ana
On March 19, 2013 at 7:23 am
Joumana says:
@Ana`; `i am happy to meet you as well Ana, thanks for the praise! 🙂
On March 19, 2013 at 8:38 am