Salad and I did not get off to a good start. In fact, we still have our issues. No offense, but a pile of lettuce with some plastic-y tomatoes and carrot curls just doesn’t do much for me.
But this salad is different. Maybe because it isn’t really a salad.
Unlike a regular salad that leaves you grumble-bellied in a couple hours, Mazidra is a hearty meal on a plate that will leave you satisfied (and happy) for hours.
All the Textures! Flavors! Colors!
Not only is this Mazidra delicious and filling, but it’s also quite beautiful.
We’ve got whole-grain brown rice, luscious lentils, tangy tomatoes, cool cucumbers, salty olives, spicy onions, and rich and creamy avocados. Layer all those up on your plate and top with an extra-generous dollop or two or five of this vegan sour cream (don’t be shy – creamy, saucy Mazidra is a good Mazidra), and you have yourself a filling meal.
The Perfect Meal for Company
Mazidra is super adaptable and is the perfect meal to serve when you have dinner guests because everyone can make it how they like it. Build your own deliciousness.
And being the wonderfully flexible meal that it is, Mazidra can also be served in a wrap.
Easy, Vegan, Gluten-Free Weekday Meal
Not only is this a perfect meal for company, it’s also great for quick, week-day meals. Simply make rice, lentils, and the vegan sour cream ahead of time at the beginning of the week and you have Mazidra fixings all week long!
You’ll be so glad you didn’t order take-out.
Slimming Mazidra
Coming in at 20 grams of fiber per serving, this dish is great for weight loss!
Fiber also reduces risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. 
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Mazidra
Prep
Total
Yield 4 servings
A make-it-how-you-like-it, full-of-flavor, vegan, and gluten-free main dish that EVERYONE will love.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked brown rice
3 cups cooked lentils (Canned lentils work fine or you can use the recipe below.)
1/2 cup finely diced sweet onion or green onion
1 cup diced fresh tomato (about 2 Roma tomatoes)
2 cups chopped small cucumber (about 1 large)
1 cup sliced olives (These are the olives I like.)
1 medium avocado, diced (or more if desired)
1 1/3 cups vegan sour cream
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
minced fresh parsley - optional
minced fresh dill - optional
Instructions
- Place approximately 3/4 cup hot rice on each plate.
- Spoon approximately 3/4 cup hot lentils over rice.
- Top with approximately 2 tablespoons diced onions, 1/4 cup diced tomato, 1/2 cup finely diced cucumber, 1/4 cup sliced olives, and 1/4 (or more) sliced avocado.
- Top with a generous dollop of sour cream.
Serve immediately.
Notes
Mazidra is best with lentils that are a little saucy but not too soupy. If your lentils are soupy, you may want to drain them a little.
Basic Lentils
High in fiber, protein, and folate these simple lentils are very good and very good for you.
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups dry, uncooked lentils
5 cups water
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon granulated onion
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt or more to taste
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except salt in sauce pan. Cover and bring to boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour or until very, very soft.
- Remove bay leaf and stir in salt.
Serve hot.
This sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it. I wouldn’t have thought to serve salad over rice and beans but basically that’s kinda what it is, right? You could layer it in a romaine leaf and make lettuce wraps! (I can’t have wheat or corn so no tortillas for me). Thanks for your recipes! I appreciate their simplicity. I have so many food allergies and sensitivities but I always find something I can try on your website!
Your comment makes me so happy, Tracy! Food allergies are a bummer; I’m glad you’ve been able to find some recipes here that work for you.
Yep – salad over beans and rice is basically what it is, but I load on the sour cream and mix it all up and it becomes a creamy, luscious, eat-with-a-spoon, mess. 🙂 🙂 Soooooo good!!!