Mejadra: Lentils & Rice - Yotam Ottolenghi's Recipe from 'Jerusalem' | Fresh P

[@ingridexel5525]

When I was still studying and having hardly any money (that was last century!), we used to cook mujadara in a 10 liter pot. This pot was the only thing in our fridge. We used to eat from it for a whole week and I swear, it got better with every day. We ate it with a yoghurt, garlic, grated and squeezed cucumber, salt and dry mint sauce. I still prepare it same way, just in smaller amounts! One of the best dishes ever!

[@Thefreshp]

Agreed! And yes, I love it with yogurt sauce.

[@mariakara4848]

true as well we make it with bulgur not rice and we use olive oil to fry the onion which gives it a special flavor😊

[@mikehababo2822]

Love Mejadra! I was born in Egypt and spent the first 12 years of my life there. Mejadra was a standard in my mom's repertoire! Her recipe is very similar with the exception of turmeric. I now live in Australia. watching you cooking it brought back so many taste memories. Mom would serve it with a salad of tomatoes and onions dressed in vinegar olive oil and salt to taste mmmmm!

[@AmandaJYoungs]

That sounds like a great accompaniment to this. I am thinking also I'd like some green in there, but maybe cilantro/coriander leaf chopped up and sprinkled would be enough, either with the mejadra, or with the salad your mother used to make. I'm salivating just at the thought of it!

[@mariamansoor872]

@@AmandaJYoungs usually the herb of choice in the Middle East is parsley rather than cilantro. It's a subtle difference but somehow it just works better.

[@AmandaJYoungs]

@@mariamansoor872 Thank you for that helpful suggestion. When I make Morroccan cous-cous (from Claudia Roden's recipe) it gives both flat-leaf parsley and cilantro/coriander leaf, so I do like both, and might try both, but I appreciate your comment and will definitely keep it in mind. :-)

[@Thefreshp]

You guys are lovely 🙏🏼

[@bethleblanc656]

That's the way!

[@tlandry9689]

I made this tonight and it was sooo good! A Palestinian coworker brought it to work one time and I have tried to recreate her recipe ever since. This was it! Thank you!

[@akshichoudhary7883]

In Northern India ( Himachal Pradesh) we cook this dish on our new year its a part of our tradition too. And our recipe consists of black lentils soaked overnight and with lots of ghee. Love from India

[@ESOTO86]

Hi ! Love Indian food 🧡 . . . Would you please share your recipe with me ?

[@melissafeds1344]

I'm INDIAN and I didn't know that. 😁 Maybe coz each state is like a mini country with its own language and everything. Can I too have the recipe or at least just the name of the recipe pls?

[@Thefreshp]

I'd love the recipe too!

[@Mo-oy5gs]

its arabic not indian haha wtf how do u come up with this shit

[@andreiacantizano6961]

In Brazil we also eat rice with lentils on NYE . Didn't know it was Indian. I always thought it was an influence from the Libanese cuisine.

[@nesmahamoda]

I absolutely love this dish. My husband is Palestinian and I’m Egyptian, so we have different variations of this meal, his is Mejadra and mine is Koshary. I’m in the process of creating a mix of both at home 😂❤

[@mandyzepeda5447]

Thank you, thank you,thank you! I've actually been searching this recipe out. My coworker and friend who has passed away was married to a man from Syria and she made this dish and shared it often during our lunches together. She would always tell me the secret was to add just a bit of pickle juice. I wasn't expecting this video but crying happy tears to have her recipe and the memories of my friend 🥰

[@recondo6495]

The way i learned to make it is cook onions 2 ways. One part crispy, like you made. The other part soft caramelized onions. Mix in the caramelized onions with the rice/lentil and the crispy ones go on top

[@Thefreshp]

Fantastic!!

[@bethleblanc656]

Agreed!

[@mrsindrany]

Similar to indian pulao

[@b00mer1980]

Last weekend we cooked this dish for the first time and it was so delicious that we are cooking it again. We always split the work, I take care of the onions, frying and the cucumber garnish and my husband does the lentils and rice. This is one of the most delicious dishes I've ever eaten and I'm very happy about this discovery and the wonderful explanation of the preparation steps! Thank you very, very much!

[@ginawiggles918]

When I was young, 60 years ago, I babysat for a Jewish couple (here in Southern California) and when they had leftover Mejadrah in the fridge I gobbled up as much as I dare. I've spent YEARS looking for a recipe so I will definitely be trying this. The lady (from Panama) always served it with a sort of beef in broth w/ beans (pinto perhaps??). Oh, was it ever great!

[@Thefreshp]

Don't you LOVE food memories like that. I hope this tastes just as good as your memory.

[@ginawiggles918]

@@Thefreshp : I DID make this, and although it was a bit different as far as the spices go, it was even BETTER than what I remember from decades ago. You have a nice way of presenting the steps and tips so it was very easy to duplicate. I really appreciate you sharing this recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi's cookbook. Gina xx

[@Thefreshp]

Thanks Gina

[@patricialambert1827]

I visited Jerusalem 8 yrs ago, so loved the sensational vegetarian foods. Would love to try this. Thank you!

[@Thefreshp]

You're welcome 😊

[@Sbannmarie]

OH BELOVED MEJADRA! I lived in the Middle East and visited Egypt and tried this. Thanks for bringing back great memories. Oh God Bless You and Gluten free to boot. ;-)

[@bkft5767]

Oh my goodness, this dish has changed my life. Made this tonight and im blown away - thank you!

[@janievan1]

I used to go to a restaurant who served Lentils and rice every Thursday. It was wonderful. I have his book. Can’t wait to try this recipe.

[@Debgirl27]

She's adorable. That's looks like the best recipe for Mejadra I have seen.

[@snagzfa2522]

uu havent seen my Arabs mother

[@Risaala]

Mjedera is also my comfort food! I did it with just cumin fo ra while--and then I got Jerusalem! Lol! I like to serve it with a salad of diced tomato, cucumber, lemon, mint and salt. It's such a warm hug of a food.

[@bee7549]

I just made this and I am eating it now...it is truly delicious! The spices were spot on. I am vegetarian and this is perfect, my husband loves it too. My change was using ground coriander and I added a pinch of ghost chili flakes...I don't feel any heat, it is just in the background. Thanks for showing us this recipe.

[@Thefreshp]

Yay. Sometime try whole coriander, the pop of bright flavor is truly lovely. Thanks for sharing you experience.

[@Maddie9185]

As a Puerto Rican who loves rice I will be trying this recipe. We make something similar to this dish put we put pigeon peas but lentils are a very healthy alternative and the onions I am sure adds a lot of flavor.

[@Thefreshp]

Happy cooking

[@jacquilewis3323]

I love Mujadera, use to purchase it from a corner store in San Francisco. I made it myself successfully many times.

[@shantayhightower8850]

I made this tonight. It was totally amazing!

[@Thefreshp]

Oh good, I'm so glad you loved it.

[@doomcheeks]

I didn't have very high expectations for this dish. I tried it mostly because rice, lentils, and onions are very cheap. It's humble looks are deceiving. Such cheap ingredients have no right to taste this sophisticated. We absolutely love Mejadra! It's just a perk that it's also very economical.

[@joeel-kadi5126]

Fantastic, The additional spices make all the difference love it, thank you.

[@Drestic]

5 years later and I still dream about this recipe. I have to make it again.

[@TheBlondeBond]

I lived off of mujaddera during my single mother days. Made it once sometimes twice a week for my roommate and our kids. Cheap, delicious and nutritious. I haven't made it in a while so I've been craving it! I like the different spin you have on frying he onions rather then how I would slowly caramelize them. Frying seems so much faster! YUM!

[@enmadelgado5134]

Cracias estoy muy emocionada ya que trabaje con familias judias en EEUU y aprendí mucho y este es mi plato favorito cracias desde Quito ecuador Emma delgado

[@aramatoulayedabo3438]

I love lentils and rice and most of the times i only make it as curry/ coconut curry. Im gonna try this new a2some recipe

[@IHATEPZZA]

Yummm! Mejadsra is my favorite dish ever and i mean it 😋💚 In Syria, we have 2 types of Mejadara: one is done with rice (also called Medardara) and the more popular one is done with bulgur (برغل) and i absolutely can never get bored of neither of them! 😜. My mom used to add only basic spices; like, salt and peper to it and serve it with a tzatziki sauce or Greek salad. Really thanks for sharing this video, it brought back all the warm memories with my mom. Much love 💟

[@Thefreshp]

I love this! Thank you. 💋💋💋

[@PhilWhelanNow]

Heartwarming comments, and interesting tips (“,)

[@valisesgourmandises2571]

Absolutely delicious! I added a handful of chopped dates and served it with a dairy-free yogourt sauce (soy yogurt with lemon juice, olive oil, salt & pepper).

[@monicamcclain2840]

This is an outstanding recipe! I made this tonight and it was delicious. I used 5-spice, added a little garlic powder, subbed brown basmati and red onions. Used a little too much flour, but the fried yummy bits gave it extra character. Thank you for the recipe!

[@Thefreshp]

I'm delighted that you shared this with me. Yummy you!!

[@VinayDandwani]

You are not the hero we deserved but the hero we needed. Thanks for the detailed explanation 🙌

[@Drestic]

I made this at Christmas using your video. So yummy and was a big hit. I'm craving it now.

[@altudy]

Ingredients 1 1/4 cups (250g) green or brown lentils 4 medium onions (1 1/2 pounds; 700g) before peeling 3 tablespoons all purpose flour About 1 cup (250ml) sunflower oil 2 teaspoons cumin seeds 1. 1/2 tablespoons coriander seeds 1 cup (200g) basmati rice 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 1/2 teaspoons ground allspice 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon sugar 1 1/2 cups (350ml) water Salt and freshly ground black pepper

[@jacquilewis3323]

I love it! First experienced it from a neighborhood corner store! Had it at least once a week! So happy that I can make it now in West Virginia! ❤️

[@davelovesdrums]

So I made this recipe recently after finding the recipe in Jerusalem and then watching your video. I've not, historically, been a huge fan of lentils but I love crispy onions and you were so passionate about how good it is that I thought I'd give it a go. I loved it so much! And I think the yoghurt side dish is an absolute must. For some reason, the combination of flavours and textures between the sharp yoghurt, earthy lentils and rice and crispy onions just works! Perfectly! I'm making it again today and already salivating 😂😄

[@violetblu1]

I made this and it was delicious! I loved the flavor of the spices in this dish. I will definitely will pick some fresh cilantro up from the market tomorrow so I can try that tasty looking yogurt salad with leftover mejadra.

[@Thefreshp]

Well done. 😁

[@missthunderstormable]

no, no, that looks amazing! someone mentioned this dish in a video, but didnt give a recipe. so thanks for the recipe! I knew I d love it. that s my next on to do list, defo cheap.

[@Thefreshp]

Comfort food at its best!

[@nedra8888]

I made this recipe yesterday, thank you very much for your excellent explanation!! Absolutely Delicious!! My family love it

[@Thefreshp]

I'm so glad. Thank you for sharing your success!

[@thedaniels_empire]

lived in lebanon for 2 years and mejadara was my favourite meal ever...

[@Thefreshp]

Heaven

[@thedaniels_empire]

yeah right!

[@mghta357]

It’s very popular in Egypt and many consider it one of Egypt’s national dishes. We add garbanzo beans to it and serve it with a drizzle of spicy tomato sauce. I have to try adding the extra spices in your version of the recipe. I bet it will be amazing. Yummy 😋. Thank you so much!

[@knightsofneeech]

Thank you for a great video! I know it's really old but it's great and I like your teaching style.

[@Thefreshp]

Thank you, that's nice to read. 😂

[@SearraMascaro]

I’ve been cooking mainly Indian & different middle eastern dishes since I was 16. In a month, I’ll be 21, yet, I’ve never heard of this dish before! It looks great!! I’m also vegan, so this seems like a great option to prepare and have ready during the week - thank you for sharing this recipe! :):):)

[@Thefreshp]

You're welcome. Enjoy it.

[@SearraMascaro]

FRESH PRINCESS will do!

[@animalvigilant5091]

Best cooking tutorial I’ve ever seen

[@Thefreshp]

Ah you're so kind

[@tylerwesley6176]

Love it. Making it right now

[@sandrabraga6027]

Very nice recipe,I made it it was delicious I am watching again to do the 2 time its really yummy thanks for this great recipe. ❤

[@Be12397]

All of those spices, especially the all spice and cinnamon are supposed to be in this dish, so this recipe is right on point. 😊. Delicious!

[@tofujelly]

I grew up on this stuff!!!

[@Thefreshp]

So lucky. We actually had this tonight for dinner. ❤️

[@andyhart4534]

Anything with perfectly cooked crispy onions is yummy

[@Thefreshp]

Agreed

[@AnneluvsKatz]

It’s one of my Fav foods though I’ve never tried to make it… might try now!!!

[@EynOdMilevado]

Made this today, it was so delicious. The only spice I didn’t have was the allspice which I replaced with 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg and 1/4 ground cloves. It was just perfect. Thanks. I too am a fan of Ottolenghi.

[@syrphus]

Thank you for introducing me to this dish! I made it yesterday, together with the salad -- it was amazing!

[@lalakess7728]

Love love love Yotam Ottolenghi!! Thank you for creating enjoyable video guide for this recipe, a favorite dish of all time.

[@janievan1]

I love this dish. Used to have it every Thursday at N&J’s in Wichita, KS. Yummmy.

[@opdrvr]

Looking for this recipe and lo and behold I come across your video. My lucky day!! Never heard, or seen your videos before. Best kept secret of Ms.Oregon. Will try this soon. So easy on eyes and ears to watch/listen to you. Just subscribed. Afraid that your tapes are going to take up a lot of my time. Thank you and stay safe.

[@Thefreshp]

This is so sweet. Welcome. Enjoy. And most importantly, happy cooking.

[@opdrvr]

@@Thefreshp Made it. Came out great. So says my wife and my yoga teacher. Your fan base is growing. Will be running to be your fan club President. Take care. And thank you.

[@goldstar3642]

Dear Corrin, that little song and dance at the end of the film is adorable. You are quite a delicious character. I have never had this recipe, even with all the exposure to middle eastern food I have had. Its beyond plain and simple, and in your usual style, found a twist, and a side road, that takes a lentil meal above and beyond. This has a very European undertone with the crispy onions. I love it, and this is another recipe to try and share. The beauty about all of your recipes is that no one has turned me away, and suddenly I have become a person of interest by sharing.

[@Thefreshp]

+Goldstar 36 oh how lovely. Thank you for sharing the love.

[@perfectcirq]

YUM !! I've never crossed paths with this dish but it looks amazing!! Maybe I'll give it a shot!

[@Thefreshp]

Do and let us know what you think.

[@hinakhabalooch]

Our traditional dish our grandparents make this in clay pots .soak lentil overnight..we also use basmati rice Love from Pakistan

[@Thefreshp]

Love back. I have a Mexican clay pot, I'll try it. Thank you.

[@hinakhabalooch]

@@Thefreshp clay pot gives extra taste is food do try n let us know

[@lorrainecarelse7860]

Going to try this. Thanks. South Africa

[@sandrasmith-dickens2339]

I tried this recipe today I’m convinced

[@marthacastro8619]

Mujaddara ...oh mujaddara ! Starting with the name, ( whatever the spelling might be), isn't that just exotic and inviting??? There is nothing more delicious! It's just my favorite! Yummmmyyyyy! Thanks for this new, ( new to me), version of it, looks fantastic, I shall try it!

[@Thefreshp]

You're welcome. I'm with you, it's so much more delicious than the sum of its parts.

[@ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

Awesome. When I was in Cairo, went to a Moroccan dinner fest. All authentic (replete with dancers, bongos, big pillow seating, candles, many servers). Had a seven course Middle Eastern/North African meal. All I can say is (to this day) have no idea what I ate...but, it was all insanely tasty. Everyone needs to do that once in their life. Great video Fresh P...brought back some great memories. Ciao.

[@Thefreshp]

+Chris DIYer what a wonderful experience. Did they have the hookah pipes?

[@ChrisDIYerOklahoma]

Oh my, yes...blue-green-white crazy smelling smoke everywhere. Traveled all over Egypt (business trip) and then went back the following year...had more fun the second time.

[@Thefreshp]

+Chris DIYer we were there weeks after Mubarak stepped down, talk about perfect timing. No tourists 😬

[@agcorporationofhomeinspect1231]

Thank you I love lentil rice great recipe

[@38kimpossible]

I'm gonna try this one, I just bought my lentils. Looks great!

[@Thefreshp]

+38kimpossible ❤❤❤

[@mikhailabunidal9146]

Me & my mom regret not having tried مجدرةmjaddarah for the first time back then, saddest part is that nobody introduced us to this appealing Middle Eastern /Levantine dish 😔 My mom made it for the first time and she had high hopes in making it since we never knew also how it tasted .مع اني حمدتلها بجهدها i praised her on her effort though This is one of the national dishes that فلسطينيين Palestinians eat but not all care for it , for i have met someone who was by origin but was born and raised in Chicago who disliked it but their version is made with burghul so it's known as مجدرة برغلmjaddaret burghul . However , his wife liked it but not him . One interesting fact : this dish is eaten by Arab Christians during Lent.

[@jacquilewis3323]

I absolutely love this dish; this version especially! Thank you!

[@robincrowflies]

Interesting! I need to try. I've eaten/made Mjeddrah for a couple decades, with no seasoning except olive oil, salt, and pepper. Also one of my favorite dishes.

[@robincrowflies]

Like this: www.cooks.com/recipe/zb0rm72p/esaus-pottage.html

[@tabithaedwards745]

@@robincrowflies Thanks for sharing that.

[@d.h.fremont3027]

Thank you so much for your recipe. This one will become one of my main dishes. Thanks.

[@kaybrown4010]

This dish is the best when you’re snowed in. Or quarantined. 😉

[@arthurkucher6208]

"Snowed in" means high on cocaine?

[@kaybrown4010]

Arthur Kucher No, it means you live in the far north. ❄️

[@pedroferreira4695]

I really must take a look in that book

[@barbarapinto7178]

Lovely recipe Shalom Thank you

[@Thefreshp]

You're welcome Barbara. Happy cooking.

[@ES-ge7bb]

That looks really good. I need another healthy, tasty, rice meal to add to my repertoire. This looks like a good candidate.

[@kriskendall100]

Oh.. I want to try this.. looks amazing with those fried onions.. I also appreciate the insights to how to cook the lentils and add the lentil water to the rice. on my list to give a go. thanks Fresh P.. I have never had this dish ever.

[@Thefreshp]

Oh you're going to LOVE it.

[@kriskendall100]

you will get this but watching you make it the way you do with such caring and love poured into it makes it feel "safe" for me to try and give to myself too. more progress with every step .. I know you understand this. thank you

[@Thefreshp]

Yes, I understand that very well. Love and caring will be your freedom.

[@JavenarchX]

Mouth is watering... Can't wait to try

[@jewelcopeland8440]

Looks delicious. Very nice easy from the cupboard recipe

[@lolabeecher1413]

It looks really good, I am going to try it.

[@yvettemoore1228]

I haven’t had mejadra in ages! Thank you for reminding me how delicious it is 🥰

[@Thefreshp]

You're welcome

[@deborahmitchell140]

will defiantly be making this! thank you.

[@Aprilforevergreen]

This dish is very popular in Iran - called 'adass polo'. Addas means brown lentil - so brown lentil rice - with all the same spices here, and topped with caramelized onions and sultans.

[@georgealderson4424]

I like the idea of adding sultanas (I could not find a sultan willing to be cooked!) very much and might try it as it sounds delicious. I am just a bit worried about using spices as I do not want to spoil it.

[@Thefreshp]

The spices are great, and it's also tasty with just cumin and coriander. I like the idea of sultanas as well. I'm going to try that next time.

[@pheonix75287]

My mouth is watering, lol! I used to eat something very similar to this at a Lebanese Restaurant in my old neighborhood. Definitely will be trying out this recipe, thanks for doing such a lovely video!

[@Thefreshp]

You're welcome. Thank you for being such a lovely being.

[@tonimactavish9937]

I do so miss your videos. The chickens, the cooking, gardening, travel.

[@Thefreshp]

And I miss making them and engaging with you all.

[@samanthab5006]

We make a version of this in the instant pot with a very similar blend of spices plus some lemon zest and fresh mint or parsley (no sugar). I usually just caramelize the onions separately as I don't usually fry things at home. Since it is easy to make that way and a little less indulgent we eat it almost every other week.

[@xtjgloriaestrada6053]

Best recipe EVEy...!!!! Thanks 🙏🏻 greetings from Baja California Mexico 🇲🇽

[@Thefreshp]

Wonderful! Hola 👋🏻 from Oregon.

[@Starlight_GT]

I'm of Lebanese background, and this is not how the masses will make mjadra. But it looks fantastic and I'm definitely going to try this recipe STUFF TRADITION

[@RECEITASFITESUPLEMENTOS]

Congratulations 🎉 very good recipe! 👏 will try to make it 😋😋😋 I am looking forward to see your next video! Just subscribed

[@TradingStrategiesMarket]

I loved the last part of the video

[@Thefreshp]

♥️

[@LariRudi]

Well of course I like lentils and rice, and fried onions are WAAAY up there. So this recipe with such a large amount of fried oneions make me wanna try this quite soon. Of course I'll use HER suggestions of spices my first time around.

[@marhar5973]

Thank you for this recipe… I made it today. My husband and I enjoyed it. Even though I ended up stewing the onions instead of frying (I don’t think my heat was high enough), it was so delicious!

[@RAJAT6555]

Seems similar to Masoor Pulao...looks delicious!

[@TheProcrastinator85]

I love mujadara my mother used to make it with bulgur wheat which I personally prefer over rice and I now started making the old classic with cauliflower rice it’s so delicious. However my recipe which I posted on my channel is different where you carmelize the onions then boil the lentils in the same pot where you get the flavors of the onions in the stock.

[@marinavishnevsky1018]

И мне нравится больше с бургулем.

[@michelesfo7799]

I have this cookbook too and made Mejadra. Delicious!

[@elizabethshaw734]

I lived in the Middle East and had this very often. I don't know where you got your exposure but I got mine at the source. :-). Thanks for posting!

[@Thefreshp]

Travel, friends and curiosity. There are many ways.

[@DarcieGlam]

I have never heard of this - looks delicious!

[@TAL62]

My mouth is watering!!! This recipe looks so YUMMY!!!

[@Thefreshp]

+Andy Leland it's deeeelicious!

[@patandersen4271]

LOOKS GREAT!, thank you for sharing this lovely recipe I have all the ingredients so I will make this tomorrow.

[@jonathandavies7462]

Made this so many times...it’s always a winner!1

[@cozyvamp]

I used to work at Hewlett Packard in Mt. View, and the cafe there had this once a week. It was the most crowded day of the week, and the lines for mejadra the longest. ;) Loved it and missed it when I left. Surprisingly, it is still my favorite of all the versions I've had elsewhere. I think I need to try this recipe and see if I can make one I like better. Thanks!

[@saminemredjomoenawi8636]

Our Holy God has Blessed You with such a BEAUTIFUL Wisdom🎈🎈🎈 from Jerusalem.🏆🎀♥️♥️♥️♥️ THANKS for sharring. I can almost taste the.great flavours. Be safe in this covid19 time BEAUTIFUL Lady. GREEETINGS FROM SURINAME 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎆🎊🏆

[@FromTheHeart-777]

I must try this. Can't have the oil but I'll figure something out...maybe bake onions on a cookie sheet for a few minutes. Can't wait to try this. Ty.

[@Thefreshp]

You're welcome

[@רותםפ-ר9ס]

It's an ancient Israeli Sephardic dish. One of my favorites.

[@davidcramb5793]

This looks so beautiful. It could be dressed with some Pomegranate seeds and toasted Pine Nuts, or you could put some Golden Raisins in it when you mix the rice and lentils.

[@BethGrantDeRoos]

OMGosh my dear friend you are indeed a kindred spirit. Have the Yotam Ottolenghi cook book and ALL the spices because I make so many ethnic recipes that call for the herbs and spices. And I LOVE mejadra. Think I may well make this for dinner today because it is windy, rainy outside and healthy plant based comfort food is a must for me,

[@catg943]

i have so wanted to try this, yours is the best recipe that I've seen........going to try it tomorrow, thank you!!

[@Thefreshp]

Woohoo. You'll love it.