Megadarra Esau's Dish or Lentils with Rice

Experience the hearty comfort of Megadarra, also known as Esau’s Dish, a traditional Middle Eastern recipe that brings together earthy brown lentils and fluffy long-grain rice, perfectly seasoned with aromatic cumin and a hint of cinnamon. This one-skillet wonder is elevated by golden, caramelized onions that add a touch of sweetness and a delightful, nutty depth to every bite. Simmered to perfection in olive oil with fragrant spices, this wholesome, protein-packed dish is as satisfying as it is simple to prepare. Whether served warm or at room temperature, Megadarra makes an excellent vegetarian main course or a versatile side dish, beautifully garnished with fresh parsley for a burst of color. Perfect for lentil lovers and anyone seeking a delicious, budget-friendly recipe, this timeless dish is a celebration of humble ingredients turned into culinary magic.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Brown lentils
• 1 cup Long-grain rice
• 2 large Yellow onion
• 4 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Ground cumin
• 0.5 teaspoons Ground cinnamon
• 1.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.5 teaspoons Black pepper
• 4 cups Water
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the lentils under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve, ensuring no debris remains. Set aside.

Step 2

In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the lentils and cook for 20 minutes over medium heat, until they are tender but still firm. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

While the lentils are cooking, peel the onions and slice them thinly into half-moons.

Step 4

Heat a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Once hot, add the sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 15-20 minutes until deeply caramelized and golden brown. Remove half of the caramelized onions and set aside for garnish.

Step 5

Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet with the remaining onions. Stir in the cumin, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper, and cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.

Step 6

Add the rice to the skillet and stir for 2 minutes to coat the grains in the spiced onion mixture.

Step 7

Add the cooked lentils to the skillet, then pour in 2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed.

Step 8

Remove the skillet from the heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes to steam.

Step 9

Fluff the rice and lentil mixture with a fork, then transfer it to a serving dish. Top with the reserved caramelized onions and a sprinkle of fresh parsley, if desired.

Step 10

Serve warm or at room temperature as a main dish or side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1723.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1121.7

Total Fat 58.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3591.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 125.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 22.6g	0%
Total Sugars 16.9g
Protein 26.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 219.2mg	0%
Iron 11.6mg	0%
Potassium 1284.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.2%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 44.4%