Photo (taken by yours truly) of Mujaddara Burghul from my cookbook, An Edible Mosaic: Middle Eastern Fare with Extraordinary Flair.
If you’re curious about Middle Eastern food and looking for a good recipe to start with, Mujaddara Burghul, otherwise known as Lentil & Bulgur Wheat Pilaf with Caramelized Onion, is the perfect dish.
It’s very healthy with lentils and whole-grain bulgur wheat as its main ingredients. (Since it’s a vegetarian meal, it’s easy on the wallet too!) It couldn’t be simpler to make…if making rice intimidates you, know that bulgur is much more forgiving than rice. And with caramelized onion and the perfect blend of spices, it’s incredibly flavorful.
Mike and I like to eat it along with plain yogurt to dollop on top, and fresh veggies on the side (like chopped cukes, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.) to round out the meal. It’s a new favorite for me, but a classic comfort food from home for Mike. For the full recipe for Mujaddara Burghul, please head over to the Bob’s Red Mill blog to check out their review of my cookbook.
Mike even remembers a silly song kids used to sing about Mujaddara in Syria. This is the loose translation:
Mujaddara, Mujaddara!
The youth’s favorite food is Mujaddara!
And let whoever doesn’t like the youth go to the end of the line.
The first day they took us to the pool but they didn’t fill it with water and we were made fun of.
The second day they took us to the restaurant but they didn’t serve us any food and we were made fun of.
The third day they took us to the soccer field but they didn’t give us a soccer ball and we were made fun of.
Mujaddara, Mujaddara!
Like I said, it’s very silly, and like most kids’ songs, it makes very little sense. Of course it sounds better when he sings it in Arabic…at least it rhymes then, lol!
Be sure to head over to Bob’s Red Mill, they are giving away three copies of my cookbook, each with a Bob’s Red Mill prize pack including Lentils, Garbanzo Beans, Bulgur, and Basmati Rice! (Huge thank-you to Bob’s Red Mill!)
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
I make your mujaddara on a regular basis, my little ones loves it, full of flavor!
Jennifer, Thank you so much – you totally made my day!!
I’ve been wanting to try Mujaddara for awhile. Can I use rice instead of the bulgur?
By the way I saw the same dishes at an Asian store this week and loved them…I was about to pick some up but realized I have blue and white coloured dishes already…as always your pics are amazing!
Asiya, Yes, you can use rice instead of bulgur. If you like bulgur, I recommend giving it a try this way too because it really is so flavorful! Hope you enjoy it! :)
An awesome dish, I am looking forward to making it soon :)
This is shaping up to be quite a month for you, Faith! I’m so proud :) That rhyme is so cute (and definitely doesn’t make any sense ;) ), but it reminds me of the silly rhymes we used to have as kids. Ah, childhood :)
Yummy but don’t count me in either for giveaway hi hi
Definitely not, Ev, lol! I’m glad you’re enjoying your copy too! :)
(And actually for those wondering, please head over to Bob’s Red Mill to enter the giveaway!)
interesting little ditty and scrumptious-looking dish!
Sounds good! I’ll go check it out!
Lovely Faith – it sounds really tasty. I especially love anything with caramelised onions.
I love mjdarra! But I’ve only ever had it made with rice. We’ll have to try making it with burghul now.
(Discovered you via Joanne from her blog Eat’s Well with Others)
That looks really good. A nice combination.
Don’t count me in… ;-P
Cheers,
Rosa
Rosa, Lol, so glad you already have your copy! :)
I love the simplicity in this dish. Your pictures are beautiful :)