Maftoul and Mujaddara: Two Cozy Palestinian Dishes
Every food culture has its cold-weather classics. For Palestinians, two of the most loved are maftoul, a hand-rolled grain dish for family gatherings, and mujaddara, the lentil dish that feeds a crowd on a budget.
What is maftoul?
The name means rolled. Maftoul is made by rubbing bulgur wheat with flour and water between the palms until it forms small, round pearls. They are steamed and dried, then stored for the months ahead. Traditionally, women gather to roll big batches together, trading news as they work.
The classic maftoul dinner
Maftoul is usually steamed above a pot of chicken, chickpeas and small whole onions simmering in a broth flavored with caraway and allspice. Everything goes onto one big platter, with extra broth in a bowl for spooning over.
What is mujaddara?
Mujaddara combines brown lentils and rice or bulgur, seasoned with cumin and finished with a generous layer of deeply browned, crispy onions. It is inexpensive, meat-free and hearty, and many Palestinian Christian families cook it on fasting days.
How to serve mujaddara
Add a spoonful of plain yogurt and a chopped salad of tomato, cucumber and parsley. The cool yogurt and the crunchy onions are what make it.
Making them at home in the US
Look for maftoul at Middle Eastern grocery stores or online; Israeli-style pearl couscous works in a pinch, though it tastes different. Mujaddara needs only pantry basics: lentils, long-grain rice, cumin, olive oil and a lot of onions. Cook the onions low and slow until they are dark brown and crisp.
Our Triangle Watermelon design is one simple slice of watermelon, as easy to love as a warm bowl of mujaddara.
FAQ
+What does maftoul mean?
Maftoul means rolled, after the way the pearls are rolled by hand from bulgur and flour.
+Can I use pearl couscous instead of maftoul?
Yes, as a substitute, but maftoul made with bulgur has a nuttier flavor and chewier texture.
+What goes with mujaddara?
Plain yogurt and a fresh salad of tomato, cucumber and parsley.
+Is mujaddara vegetarian?
Yes. It is made from lentils, rice or bulgur, onions and olive oil, and is vegan without the yogurt.
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