MIddle Eastern Comes to End of the Rainbow Valley

I just love being able to use up vowels and the letter 'q' using the word 'quinoa 'in playing Scrabble AND I also am thrilled when I find a new recipe to use it in cooking.

One of my favorite bloggers, the Shiksa in the Kitchen is going to be using this dish in her new book and asked her followers to try it out. I think that if you try it, you will agree with us that it is a winner. In addition to great recipes you also get some history and here are Tori's words for this recipe.

"Mujadara is a Middle Eastern dish made with rice and lentils. The first recorded recipe for mujadara appears in Kitab al-Tabikh (Book of Dishes), a cookbook published in Iraq in 1226. It is unclear whether the Persians, who brought rice to western and central Asia from India, created the dish or borrowed it from India. While it is traditionally made with basmati rice and brown lentils, different countries have their own unique versions – for example, Bukharans are known to use mung beans in lieu of lentils and Iraqis like to top theirs with fried eggs. Some regions use chickpeas instead of lentils. Nearly all versions incorporate soft caramelized onions, as their sweet flavor really enhances the dish."

Tori substitutes quinoa for the rice. Try it, you'll like it.

Apparently I cannot print the recipe as it is copyrighted even though I paraphrased it and gave credit. Oh well below is the link...

It takes under an hour to prepare.

QUINOA MUJADARA

http://theshiksa.com/2012/10/18/quinoa-mujadara/

Quinoa added to the cooked lentils before cooking entire mixture

I served topped with caramelized onions, sour cream and chopped cilantro.


YUM...