Join KindChef Deb online for KindSoup as we make Lebanese Mujadara (based on this recipe online from Food Impromptu). After completing your soup, and sharing some with your family, freeze and label the rest for donation, then drop off at one of our participating food assistance providers.
One Pot Lentil and Rice – Inspired by Lebanese Mujadara (posted on Youtube by Food Impromptu)
INGREDIENTS: (12-15 servings)
3 Cups BROWN LENTILS ONLY (washed and soaked in water for at least 4 to 6 hours (or overnight) until the lentils are very tender)
3 Cups BASMATI Rice (thoroughly washed/soaked in water for 20 minutes)
9 Cups Chopped Onions – 6 medium sized onions
3 Tablespoon ginger (very finely chopped)
3 Tablespoon garlic (very finely chopped)
2 1/4 Cups Strained Tomatoes / Passata / Tomato Puree
1 Tbsp Ground Cumin
1 Tbsp Ground Coriander
3/4 to 1 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper OR to taste (Optional)
Salt to taste (I added total 4 1/2 teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt)
6 Cups Water
Garnish: 2 1/4 cup / (finely chopped) parsley
Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste (I added 1 1/2 teaspoon)
Lemon or Lime juice to taste (I added 4 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice, I like it a bit sour)
Extra Virgin Olive oil (I added 6 tablespoons of organic cold-pressed olive oil)
▶️ METHOD: ✅👉 USE A WIDER POT TO COOK THIS DISH (this will cook the rice more evenly and prevent it from getting mushy).
Wash and soak the brown lentils for at least 4 to 6 hours (or overnight) until the lentils are very tender.
Thoroughly wash the rice until the water runs clear to get rid of any impurities/gunk (it’s an important step so do not skip it). Soak for 20 minutes.
Heat a pan, add cooking oil, onion and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Adding salt to the onions will help release water and help it cook faster.
Fry the onion on medium-high heat until it starts to caramelize. Once caramelized, reduce the heat to medium to medium-low heat (depending on the heat of your stove) and add finely chopped ginger and garlic.
Fry until onions are nicely browned (be careful not to burn the onion).
Once the onion is caramelized, remove the onions with a slotted spoon and add the strained tomatoes/passata and spices to the pan. Give it a good mix.
Add the soaked lentil and rice, along with salt and water.
Cover and bring to a vigorous boil. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and cook for about 40 minutes.
Uncover and check to see if the rice and lentils are cooked (it should be cooked by now, if it’s not, cover and cook it for a bit longer). Now continue to cook UNCOVER for another 1 to 2 minutes on low heat to get rid of any excess moisture. Turn off the heat.
Add parsley, lemon juice, black pepper and drizzle of olive oil. Mix very gently, the rice is delicate at this point and we don’t want to break it. Top with the carmelized onions – or can fry them up a bit more if you would like them to be crispy (“frizzled”).
Cover and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving (for flavors to blend).
Health and Safety Information
In order to protect the the quality of our KindSoup program, we ask that volunteers conscientiously observe the following guidelines:
- Start with clean hands and wash again frequently as needed throughout the cooking process.
- Start with clean kitchen surfaces and utensils (antibacterial wipes do a great job).
- Keep longer hair tied back.
- Follow other common sense procedures, such as never returning a tasting spoon to the pot!
Thank you for maintaining a high cleanliness standard for our KindSoup donations!
See you soon!!
How to Donate Your KindSoup
Seal containers with a tight lid and freeze. Label each container with: date prepared, your first name and last initial, “One Pot Lentils and Rice” and any relevant food allergy info (“Vegan”). As soon as is convenient, drop containers of frozen soup off at one of the following participating food assistance providers, and can give one quart away also to a person or family that is in your heart and/or going through a difficult time. You will report all KindSoups that you shared – with to the food assistance organization, or to those people whom you know.
- 5171 Manning Place NW (in the Palisades neighborhood in DC). leave in freezer outside front door. NOTE: Soups dropped here must be vegetarian or Halal only, please.
- Here2Help @ Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 7611 Clarendon Road, Bethesda. (Go down driveway next to brick house just before the church on Clarendon and look for coolers labeled for soup donations). Drop off Sundays, 10 am-12 noon.
- Homes Not Borders 3610 East St., Landover. Drop off daily 10 am-2 pm. NOTE: Soups dropped here must be vegetarian or Halal only, as they will be shared with newly arriving refugee families in the area.
- Rainbow Community Development Center 12120 Tech Road, Silver Spring (this takes you to the rear parking lot and loading dock – there is usually a large RAINBOW truck parked here): Drop-off Monday-Friday 9am-2pm. NOTE: If you go during Rainbow’s food distributions on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 9am-noon, you may see a long line of cars – you can drive past the cars to drop off your KindSoup. If you go at other times and the garage or back door is not open, call or text Anna on her personal cell at 301-852-4184 (if she doesn’t answer, leave a message and she should get back within a few minutes, or try calling the Rainbow Pantry cellphone: 240-639-2293).
- Upcounty Consolidation Hub 12900 Middlebrook Rd., Germantown (supporting 1,000 families with food and other supports). Drop off Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays 8 am-4:30 pm.
- Embry Rucker Shelter 11975 Bowman Towne Drive, Reston, 703-437-1975. Leave donations on the table around the back. Drop off anytime!
- NYC Community Fridges located throughout New York City.
- Bread and Roses 58 Newbury St., Lawrence, Mass., 978-681-8768. Drop off Mondays-Thursdays, 10 am-4 pm.
- The Bristol Lodge 27 Lexington St., Waltham, Mass., 781-893-0108. Drop off Mondays-Fridays, 9am-6pm.
- Community Refrigerators located in Los Angeles
See you in the KindSoup kitchen!
Learn more about this KindWorks program
