Lebanese Blogging Center

We Tried Mdardara With Yougurt And Here is What We Think

We all know our favourite Lebanese dish Mdardara, but have you ever thought of trying it with yougurt? We tried it and here is what we think.

The hot and tasty dish has a unique flavor from the mixture from lentils, onion, rice, and oil. Adding yougurt has made us feel like we are eating a new dish, similar to Msakkabe or Seyyadeye with yougurt. It is a common practice to eat it on the side, and we think it is delicious. We added yougurt to the plate on the mdaradara mix, and looking at the Mdardara plate with Yougurt, we realized how tasty the dish just looks. The blend of the rice, lentils, and onions with yougurt makes a special blend that every one must try.

About Mdardara Dish

Mdardara is a traditional Lebanese dish of lentils and rice, seasoned with spices and topped with caramelized onions. It is also known as mujaddara and is a nutritious, plant-based meal that can be served as a main course or side dish. 

Key components

• Lentils: Brown or green lentils are the base of the dish.
• Rice: Long-grain rice, like basmati, is typically used, though bulgur wheat is an option in some variations.
• Caramelized onions: Thinly sliced onions are fried in olive oil until golden brown and crispy. The oil used for frying is often incorporated back into the rice and lentils for added flavor.
• Seasoning: Common spices include cumin, salt, and pepper, but some recipes may also add turmeric, cinnamon, or seven-spice blend.
• Serving: Mdardara is often served with a side of plain yogurt or a simple salad. 

How it’s made

1. Cook the lentils: Lentils are boiled in water or broth until tender.
2. Cook the rice: Rice is cooked separately.
3. Caramelize the onions: Onions are slowly fried in olive oil until golden and caramelized.
4. Combine and mix: The cooked lentils, rice, and some of the caramelized onions are combined in a large pot. The reserved crispy onions are saved for topping.
5. Simmer: The mixture is simmered to allow the flavors to meld.
6. Serve: The finished dish is plated and topped with the reserved crispy caramelized onions. 

Adding Yougurt

Adding yogurt to mdardara is a classic and very common practice that significantly changes the flavor profile and texture of the dish.

The Role of Yogurt with Mdardara

Yogurt serves several important functions when paired with the hearty mdardara:

• Cooling Contrast: Mdardara is typically served warm or at room temperature. The cool yogurt provides a pleasant temperature contrast.
• Balancing Flavor: The rich, earthy flavors of the lentils and the deep sweetness of the caramelized onions are balanced by the tangy, slightly sour profile of the yogurt. The acidity cuts through the richness of the grains and legumes.
• Creamy Texture: A dollop or drizzle of yogurt adds a smooth, creamy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft rice/lentil mixture and the crunchy fried onion garnish.
• Nutritional Boost: Yogurt adds a source of calcium and probiotics, complementing the fiber and plant-based protein provided by the lentils and rice, making the meal nutritionally complete.

How to Add It

Yogurt is almost always served as a condiment rather than an ingredient mixed into the main pot during cooking. It is usually served in one of two ways:

1. On the Side: A small bowl of plain, thick yogurt (like Greek yogurt or traditional labneh) is provided, and diners add a spoonful to their individual plates as desired.
2. Drizzled on Top: A generous dollop is placed directly on top of the serving platter of mdardara before it is brought to the table, often alongside extra crispy onions.
   

For a traditional Lebanese experience, pairing Mdardara with a side of plain Yogurt and a simple cucumber salad is the standard way to enjoy this comforting vegetarian meal.

The synergy of textures from the soft grains to the essential, crunchy onion topping— with yougurt creates a satisfying mouthfeel. The flavor profile is a complex dance between the earthy savoriness of the lentils and the profound, almost jammy sweetness developed tough slow-caramelizing the onions. Mdardara with yougurt at its heart, a nourishing, flavorful embrace of comfort food traditions that we have tried and think is delicious.