Mujaddara

Mujaddara is a Levantine dish of lentils and rice with caramelized onions.

To caramelize the onions, heat olive oil in a pan. Cook onion and sugar, stirring, 5-6 minutes. Add the balsamic vinegar and 1/4 cup water, and continue cooking 10-15 minutes more. Add the remaining water and cook until the onions are caramelized, 5-10 minutes more.

Place lentils with 2 1/2 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer until the lentils are just tender, about 25-30 minutes.

Add the rice and 3 cups more of water, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper and half the caramelized onions. Cover and simmer, stirring ocassionally, until the rice is cooked, about 15 minutes.

Distribute into individual bowls and serve warm, decorated with the remaining caramelized onions.