Brown Rice Bowl with Lentils, Caramelized Onions & Fried Egg

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 45 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 4 Servings

Mujadara — a traditional Middle Eastern recipe made with long-grain rice, brown lentils, and caramelized onions — is typically served as a side dish. For this meatless version, we’re serving up these smoky, cumin-scented lentils with a fried egg, spicy harissa, and toasted pine nuts, and calling it a meal perfect for any time of day.

Ingredients

1 cup brown basmati rice
1 cup brown lentils
4 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves, finely chopped
Salt
Cooking or olive oil spray
4 large eggs
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Paprika
2 1/2 tablespoons spicy or mild harissa
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

Instructions

Bring the broth to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the rice, lentils, and a big pinch of salt, and return to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the rice and lentils are tender, about 40 minutes, adding more liquid a little at a time if all of it is absorbed before the rice and lentils are cooked. Meanwhile, cook the onions.
Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add the onions and cook until deeply browned and beginning to caramelize, about 20 minutes (add small amounts of water as needed to prevent the onions from burning; you can also continue cooking the onions for as long as the rice and lentils cook for a deeper caramelization). Add the garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.
When the rice and lentils are ready, remove from the heat and let sit covered for 10 minutes. Add 1/2 of the onion mixture, cumin, chopped parsley, and remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and gently fold to incorporate. Reserve the remaining onions for serving.
Wipe the skillet used to cook the onions clean, lightly grease with cooking spray, and return to medium heat until the pan is hot. Crack the eggs into the pan and cook to your desired doneness. Season the eggs with salt, pepper, and a dash of paprika. (Read more: How To Fry an Egg)
Divide the rice and lentil mixture equally between 4 bowls. Place a fried egg on each bowl. Garnish with the remaining caramelized onions, harissa, and toasted pine nuts.