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Vegetarian, Maghreb and Middle East

Harak osbao (Lebanese lentils and pasta)

Harak osbao is a Lebanese dish of lentils and short pasta, brightened with pomegranate molasses, garlic and cilantro, serving 4 in 50 minutes, medium difficulty, for €1.60 per person. The key is the fried bread, added right before serving so it stays crisp in the bowl.

A Lebanese harak osbao, lentils and pasta brightened with pomegranate molasses, garlic and cilantro, topped with crispy fried bread.

Harak osbao (Lebanese lentils and pasta)
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€1.60
Calories per person
790 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Harak osbao pairs soft, slow cooked lentils with short pasta that still has some bite, all coated in a garlicky sauce with cumin and fresh cilantro. Pomegranate molasses adds a gentle tang that wakes everything up, and a squeeze of lemon sharpens the flavor without weighing it down. It's a spoon dish, comforting but never heavy.

It's a great choice for a cold autumn or winter evening, when you want something warm that breaks from the usual routine. It takes a bit of timing between cooking the lentils, the pasta and frying the bread, so it works best as a relaxed weeknight dinner or a Sunday meal for friends curious about Lebanese cooking.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Green lentilsoften in the pantry 250 g
  • Short pastaoften in the pantry 120 g
  • Pomegranate molasses 3 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 8 tbsp
  • Cuminoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onion 2
  • Garlic 5 cloves
  • Cilantro 2 bunch
  • Lemon 1

Bakery

  • Pita bread 2

Allergens Gluten

The step by step recipe

  1. Cook the lentils in salted water. 25 min

    Don't drain them, keep the cooking water for later.

  2. Add the pasta to the lentils and continue cooking. 10 min

    Stir from time to time, the pasta sticks to the bottom easily.

  3. Cook the sliced onions in the oil until golden. 15 min

    Set half aside for the topping.

  4. Crush the garlic with the chopped cilantro, salt and cumin, add them to the pot with the pomegranate molasses and lemon.

    Add the molasses a little at a time and taste, it's strong.

  5. Fry the bread in pieces in oil, serve the dish in bowls topped with crispy bread and onions.

    Add the bread at the very last moment so it stays crisp at the table.

Our tips to get it right

  • Chop the cilantro and crush the garlic right before adding them, their flavor fades fast once prepped ahead.
  • Hold onto the lentil cooking water, it becomes the base for the pasta so you won't need to add plain water.
  • Serve right after adding the fried bread, it softens within minutes once it touches the sauce.

The variations

  • Swap the short pasta for rice for a version closer to some traditional Lebanese family recipes.
  • For a quicker version, use canned, already cooked lentils and cut the cooking time down to 10 minutes.
  • For kids, go lighter on the pomegranate molasses and serve the fried bread on the side so everyone can add their own amount.

What to serve it with

  • Cold plain yogurt
  • Cucumber and tomato salad
  • Mint tea

Storage

Harak osbao keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, without the fried bread, which should always be made right before serving. Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of water to loosen it back up. Freezing isn't recommended, the pasta turns mushy once thawed.

Questions about this dish

Can I replace the pomegranate molasses if I don't have any?

Mix lemon juice with a little sugar or honey to get close to that tangy sweetness. The flavor will be slightly different but the dish stays balanced.

Do green lentils need soaking before cooking?

No, green lentils don't need soaking like some other legumes do. Just rinse them well before cooking.

Can I make harak osbao ahead of time?

You can cook the lentils and pasta a few hours ahead and reheat gently before serving. Fry the bread and onions right before you sit down to eat so they stay crisp.

What bread can I use instead of pita?

A Lebanese style flatbread or even a wheat tortilla can stand in for pita. The key is frying it until golden so it keeps some crunch.

How long does it take to make a harak osbao?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a harak osbao?

About 790 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a harak osbao cost?

About €1.60 per serving, or €6.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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