Stew of Pinto Beans and Cracked Wheat in Caramelized Onions – Mujaddara bi Fasoulia Recipe

You’re about to experience one of the hardest-core of recipes in the traditional Lebanese Cuisine: Mujaddara bi Fasoulia

A Traditional Lebanese Stew Made With Pinto Beans, Cracked Wheat (Bulgur), and Caramelized Onions.

Preparation time: 5 minute(s)
Cooking time: 1 hour(s)
Number of servings (yield): 4

Mujaddara Ingredients (4 servings)

2.5 cups Pinto beans
2 medium onions, finely minced
1 cup Burghul (cracked wheat)
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1/3 cup of frying oil (coconut oil, canola…)
1/2 teaspoon of salt

Preparation Method

1. Soak the pinto beans in water overnight.
2. On the day of, boil the beans in a deep cooking pot for 5-10 minutes, discard their water, replenish with 4 cups of fresh warm water (water has to be warm so beans don’t shrink) and bring to a boil again on a gentle heat.
3. Meanwhile, in a deep fryin pan, fry the minced onions in 1/3 cup of frying oil for about 15-20 minutes or until they are caramelized and crunchy. Once they reach that stage, discard the cooking oil and carefully pour 2 cups of water from the boiling pinto beans into the frying pan and let the onions boil in water for about 10-15 minutes until the water turns deeply caramelized in color.
4. Pour the onions and their boiling water in the pot where the beans are boiling, and let them all boil for 15-20 more minutes on medium heat.
5. Add the 1/4 cup of olive oil.
6. Add the burghul (without washing it, but be careful for any debris) to the cooking pot, with 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and let it all boil for another 10-15 more minutes. The end result should be a stew with little water.
7. Serve hot or cold, with a side of plain Greek yogurt and veggies (green/raw onions, red radish…etc) and pita bread (optional).

Source: Mama’s Lebanese Kitchen.