As is the case for most of you, work lunches remain the bane of my existence. On most days I oscillate between lackluster salads with tinned tuna, or the urge to spend my hard-earned money on overcooked salmon with rice. So the appearance of mujadara for one in my life, easily prepared in the microwave or in an oven, has really saved the day - and helped up the ante on those work lunches.
Despite being one of the first blog posts I ever published on here, Mujadara remains one of the most frequently visited, shared and pinned recipes on this site. Which means that many of you have fallen in love with the magical combination of rice, lentils, caramelized onions and Middle Eastern spices, the warmth they bring to your body, and the incredible smell that wafts through the house the moment you pull that baby out of the pot. The only problem was that making mujadara usually led to days of leftovers and I don't know about you, but I am just not the biggest fan of reheated rice.
Enter mujadara for one. Since I received a Corningware Meal Mug in my goodie bag at FBC 2016, the Food Bloggers of Canada conference I took part in in October, I have been dreaming up ways to use to actually prepare my work lunches at work. Not reheat, you guys - but cook them, fresh, using my office microwave or toaster oven. Because the Meal Mug is made of a durable stoneware material and doesn't absorb food, odours, flavours or stains, I knew that it was the perfect vehicle for getting over my microwave aversion - and actually enjoy a freshly prepared meal for a work lunch. How cool would that be?
The ideas I came up with were as follows:
- Homemade pho soup in a jar a-la Food52
- Tuna melt casserole (yeah, this is as gross as it sounds)
- Mujadara for one!!
The moment I thought of that last one, I knew I had a winner. The very same night, I soaked my lentils and rice, sauteed some onions, and proceeded to bring the layered ingredients to work in my Meal Mug. Nothing leaked, everything stayed beautifully arranged, and the Meal Mug went straight into the microwave. Just 15 minutes later, I took a steaming Meal Mug of freshly cooked mujadara for one out, topped it with my caramelized onions and fresh cilantro, and went to town. Only five minutes later, I was in work lunch heaven. And the next day, I repeated the same trick with the oven - and that worked just as well (though it took longer - so for those extra hangry days, I have to say I am a fan of cooking your mujadara for one in the microwave!).
You can get your own Meal Mug on Amazon.ca (or .com) or Walmart. In Canada, Loblaws, Home Outfitters, London Drugs and www.shopworldkitchen.com all carry the Corningware Meal Mug, and some will even ship it straight to your home. And then, you too will be only 15 minutes (and some soaking time) away from eating your own mujadara for one, at work or otherwise.
I received product and monetary compensation in exchange for this post. However, I am proud to only work with those companies whose products I truly love. And as always, all opinions expressed here are my own; you can always expect me to be honest with you guys!
Corningware Meal Mug Mujadara for one
Ingredients
- 2 TBs grapeseed oil
- 1 onion
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Black pepper to taste
- ½ cup dupuy or green lentils soaked overnight or for a minimum of 4 hours
- ½ cup basmati rice soaked overnight
- 1.5 cups water
- A handful of fresh coriander chopped
Instructions
- ut onion into half moons. Preheat a pan on low-medium heat, and add oil. Sautee onions until they begin to turn transluscent, 10 mins. Once the colour starts to change, lower heat to low and let onions continue cooking for an additional 20 mins, stirring only occassionally, until all onions have caramelized. Set aside.
- When packing your lunch, arrange lentils, spices and olive oil at the bottom of your Meal Mug. Top with rice. Keep onions and coriander separate.
- For microwave preparation: When ready to cook your lunch, add water. Microwave on high heat, uncovered, for 10 minutes, until holes of steam have been created in the rice. Cover with lid and microwave for an additional 5 minutes. Fluff with fork and let rest with the lid on for an additional five minutes.
- For oven or toaster oven preparation: When ready to cook your lunch, boil water. Add boiling water to Meal Mug, and cook, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, until water has evaporated and rice is cooked. Fluff with fork and let rest with a lid on for an additional five minutes.
- Top with caramelized onions and coriander, and serve immediately.
Cora Dang says
Just made this for lunch today. It was a PERFECT hot meal for a cold, snowy lunchtime. I scaled it down to fit in the 16 ounce stoneware soup mugs I have, but since this recipe is such a keeper I've gone and put two of the CorningWare 20 oz. meal mugs in my shopping cart. Thank you so much for posting this -- my husband and I both loved it!
kseniaprints says
Yay! It makes me so happy to hear you made and loved it. I've seriously made and remade it many times in the past few weeks.
Cora Dang says
It's fantastic! It's actually on my rotation for us again today -- fella asked last week if I'd be willing to do "lentil mugs" once a week or so. It's filling and comforting, so it helps both of us get through rough or rainy workdays.
Angela says
The flavors in this dish sound incredible! Love those mugs too! So handy!! Ill have to keep an eye out for them
kseniaprints says
They make healthy, portable lunches a total breeze! Glad you like this recipe 🙂
Sarah @ Champagne Tastes says
I LOVE this!!! And I so wish that I had 15 minutes to use a microwave at work... but I might try this for days when I'm home alone wishing I had a better lunch! It sounds amazing though-- how brilliant to soak the lentils and rice overnight! Work lunches are the pits.. I just listened to a whole episode of the Bon Appetit podcast about it!
kseniaprints says
I just put this in the microwave ahead of lunchtime, and then it's ready before the rush of other co-workers! Haha. But yes, works lunches are definitely where creativity usually goes to die. I'm lucky if I eat leftovers on most days...
Amanda | Chew Town says
Being able to prepare hot meals at work is the BEST. Reheating something just isn't the same. I love the idea of this and will definitely have to give it a try at work this week!
kseniaprints says
Hope you'll have a chance to try it - let me know what you thought!
Platter Talk says
What a great mug and idea. Like the recipe, too.
kseniaprints says
Thank you!!!
Lisa | Garlic + Zest says
Oh this is my kind of dish! I love the lentils...
kseniaprints says
Lentils give this dish an earthy flavour and a boost of protein. I am partial to de Puy lentils, but green ones worked just as well.
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
Sounds like a wonderfully delicious lunch, and great for filling the lunchtime gap. Love the Corningware meal mug, really useful.
kseniaprints says
It definitely helped make my lunches feel less like a throwaway meal! The Corningware meal mug just makes it so accessible.
Elaine @ Dishes Delish says
I've never heard of Mujadara. It sounds intriguing and delicious! I know my hubby will love it. Now all I need is to get two of those mugs! I love that your original Mujadara post went viral!!
kseniaprints says
Apparently, people are really into the idea of rice and lentils with sauteed onions on top 😛
Emily says
All the spices and flavours here are gorgeous I can't wait to try it!
kseniaprints says
I am certain you will love it!!!
Dannii says
We have just gone vegan, so we are always looking for new lentil recipes. This looks delicious and really hearty.
kseniaprints says
Yay! Good luck on your new journey - this dish will be a filling and nutritious one to fill out your lunches arsenal.
Jessy @ The Life Jolie says
Corningware makes some excellent products that last forever! My husband would love those mugs. No joke, he used to eat certain casseroles out of a gravy boat because he liked the handle!
kseniaprints says
Hahaha that's golden!! Yeah, you should definitely get him one 🙂