Fakes moutzentra is a lentil recipe we make in Cyprus and is a high protein, balanced healthy food, especially with the combination of rice.
In Greece they make a similar recipe in the Aegean islands which is called Fakoryzo, meaning lentils and rice.
Until recently, I used to think that this is a Cypriot recipe but finding recipes all over the world I found out that a lentil and rice dish is referred to in the Middle East as mujaddara or mejadra and I now realize that this Cypriot dish may have some middle eastern influence. Or is it the other way round?

Update 18th May, 2018
Origin of Word Moudjentra
A couple of months ago, I got an email from a Cypriot reader of my blog, who lives in Adelaide, Australia, who has a background in linguistics and informed me regarding the etymology of the word moudjentra / moujentra, in Cypriot μουτζέντρα.
The word is connected with a recipe with lentils which she may have probably read either in my post for Fakes Moudjentra or in my Cookbook Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!.
Read the interpretation in my post for Brown Lentils with Smoked Eggplant.
I remember when my mother used to make moutzentra, she would fry lots of onions until caramelized and mix them in.
However, I also remember how we used to hate the onions when we were young and since we would not eat the lentils, she would also fry some eggs for us.
When my children were younger, they didn’t like them either, so in order that my children would start eating them, I would not let the onion brown completely so that it would not be visible in the plate.
We also make the same dish substituting rice with any kind of small pasta in it, especially orzo.
In Cyprus we use the brown lentils which do not need to be previously soaked in water.
These lentils cook very easily, however depending on where you live, you may have to soak the lentils overnight.


Fakes Moutzentra - Cypriot Lentils with Rice
Fakes moutzentra is a lentil recipe we make in Cyprus and is a high protein, balanced healthy food, especially with the combination of rice.
Ingredients
- 2 cups brown lentils
- 2 cups water
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ vegetable bouillon (optional)
- 1/3 cup short grained rice (Carolina or glacé)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Clean the lentils as sometimes small stones may be found in the package and then wash and drain them.
- Boil in a pot with enough water to cover them, together with bay leaf, for ten minutes.
- Drain them, add fresh water (just to cover them, about 2 cups), bay leaf and vegetable bouillon and bring to a boil again. Lower heat and cook for 15 minutes or until soft.
- Discard the bay leaf.
- Add the rice, salt and pepper, lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes, mixing every now and then.
- Meantime, in a 23 cm (9”) non-stick frying pan heat the olive oil and sauté the onions until they caramelize and start to turn to brown. When the rice is cooked, add the caramelized onions with the oil, stir and remove from the heat.
- Allow to cool for ten minutes and serve while warm.
Notes
Note: It is better to prepare the dish a short while before eating because otherwise all water will be absorbed and
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 261Total Fat 18gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 0mgSodium 342mgCarbohydrates 19gFiber 6gSugar 3gProtein 7g
The recipe is included in my cookbook Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste as well as in Volume 1 of my e-cookbook.
Fakes (lentil) recipes
From main dishes, to soups or salads, here are some of our favorite recipes to cook with a pantry staple, lentils.
Lentil and Bulgur Spicy Salad
A perfect nutritional, light, summer side dish and why not a main dish. Â The Lentil and Bulgur Spicy Salad is vegan but if you are not vegan, it goes well with some Greek yoghurt.
Brown Lentils with Carrots, Orzo and Caramelized Onions
This Brown Lentils with Carrots, Orzo and caramelized onions dish has been one of my family's favourite Cypriot dishes for years.
The addition of carrots and serving them with caramelized onions on top, add a lovely sweetness to the dish and an intense depth of flavour.
Fakes Moutzentra - Cypriot Lentils with Rice
Fakes moutzentra is a lentil recipe we make in Cyprus and is a high protein, balanced healthy food, especially with the combination of rice.
Kritharaki me Fakes kai Pasto (Orzo with Lentils and Smoked Pork)
Kritharaki me Fakes (pronounced fakhés) is a pasta dish made with orzo and brown lentils. This is a different way of making the Cypriot dish called fakhés moudzentra, which is a staple lentil dish, cooked with brown lentils and rice and then caramelized onions, which are called "tiganissi", are mixed in.
Fakes Soupa (Greek Lentil Soup)
Fakes (pronounced fakhés) is a Greek vegan lentil soup with vegetables.  It is of high nutritional value which makes it perfect for the cold days!

Kopiaste and Kali Orexi!

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Ivy
Saturday 29th of March 2008
Maria there is no reason for dispute here. When I left the comment on your blog, I only wanted to stress that fakes are not only with tomato and this type of fakes is well know first of all in Cyprus but also in most of the Greek islands and I was under the impression that fakoryso is also popular in Crete as well. If you type fakoryzo in google search you will get a lot of recipes. I am sending you a link mentioning Crete as well.
Maria V
Saturday 29th of March 2008
I was thinking about your comment on fakes without tomato - even in your recipe, you do mention tomato as being the Greek way, and you do admit at the end of the recipe that some people "like the soup to have a reddish colour"...