Step 1

In a pan, boil 3 cups of water. Add the lentils and cook for 8 to 11 minutes. Strain the lentils and set them aside. The lentils should have a bite to them.

Step 2

In a different pan, add the olive oil, and when hot, add the sliced onion and fry until brown. If the pan is small, then fry the onion in batches, reducing the frying time. Place quarter from fried onion on paper towel to absorb the extra oil. We will use it to garnish the mujadara.

Step 3

In a medium pan, add 2 1/2 cups water and let it come to a boil. Add the previously cooked lentils, salt, and the vegetable or chicken bouillon, stir for one minute. If you want to use vegetable stock or chicken stock, add 2 1/2 cups of it to the pan and omit the vegetable or chicken bouillon.

Step 4

Add the rice and ¾ of the previously fried onions, let it boil for 20 seconds.

Step 5

Reduce the heat to the lowest, cover the pan properly, and let the rice cook for 15 minutes. Uncover and gently fluff the rice using a fork or thin spatula. Turn off the heat and cover the pan for 15 minutes before serving.

Step 6

When serving the mujadara, garnish with the remaining fried onion.

Step 7

Fry the onion just like when cooking in a regular pan, place a quarter of fried onion on a paper towel to absorb the extra oil, we will use it to garnish the mujadara.

Step 8

Add the soaked and drained rice and lentils to the pressure cooker (do not cook the lentils). Add to it 2 1/4 cup water. If you are using stock, use 2 1/4 cups instead of water and omit the bouillon in the coming step.

Step 9

Add the chicken or vegetable bouillon, salt, and ¾ of the fried onion.

Step 10

Close the pressure cooker and place it on the stove. Keep the heat on high. After the first whistle, turn off the heat and allow the pressure cooker to release the steam on its own. The steam might take up to 20 minutes to release naturally.

Step 11

Do not open the pressure cooker immediately after turning off the heat. Allow the pressure cooker to release all the steam.

Step 12

To ensure that the pressure cooker is not holding any steam, gently pull up the whistle without pulling it off the lid, do this using a spatula and not your hand!

Step 13

If you see steam coming out, give the pressure cooker more time to release the steam. Follow these steps when cooking in an instant pot.

Step 14

Serve the mujadara with Mediterranean salads like Fattoush or tabbouleh and garnish with fresh herbs like fresh parsley or coriander or serve with a quick cucumber salad made of grated cucumber (make sure to squeeze the cucumber after grating it.). Mix it with yogurt, a small number of minced garlic, and lemon juice—season with herb, like dry mint powder.