Mujadarra (Lentils With Rice) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

14 ounces dry brown lentils
2 carrots, grated
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, thinly sliced
3 cloves garlic, crushed, or more to taste
2 tablespoons water, or more as needed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)
1/4 teaspoon yellow curry powder (optional)
4 cups cooked brown rice, or as needed

Preparation

Fill a large pot with lightly salted water; add lentils and bring to a rolling boil. Cook until slightly tender, about 10 minutes. Add grated carrots; cook until slightly softened, about 10 minutes. Drain lentils and carrots.
Heat olive oil in the same pot over medium heat; add onions and garlic. Cook and stir until onions wilt and become transparent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in lentils and carrots and reduce heat to medium-low. Add enough water to the pot to keep the lentil mixture from drying out.
Sprinkle cumin, cayenne, curry powder, salt, and pepper over lentils; stir until heated through and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Serve over rice.