Name: Mujadara (Lentils and Rice with Caramelized Onions)
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 4 generous servings
Ingredients: 4 medium cloves garlic, smashed and peeled; 2 bay leaves; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; 1 3/4 teaspoons fine sea salt, divided; Freshly ground black pepper; 5 cups water; 1 cup brown* basmati rice, rinsed and drained; 1 cup regular brown or green lentils**, picked over for debris, rinsed and drained; 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 2 medium-to-large yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced; 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions (from 1 bunch), divided; 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or flat-leaf parsley, divided; Plain whole-milk or Greek yogurt, for serving; Spicy sauce, for serving (optional): shatta or zhoug or store-bought chili-garlic sauce or even sriracha