FamilyChef: Mujadara

Nada, 28, lives in Zarqa  which is northeast of Amman. She is the sole earner in the family supporting her three children, her physically impaired husband and her elderly mother-in-law who is also ill. WFP’s Faten Al-Hindi visited the young mother in her modest house in the Ghwerieyh area where her three children aged 6, 10 and 12 were glued to their mother’s side almost half the time.

Despite Nada’s huge burden, her infectious smile spreads warmth around her small place. Married off when she was barely 16, she never had any skills to help her work and support her family when her husband could not work anymore.

For a very long time Nada counted on her neighbours’ generosity; giving her their leftover vegetables and dried bread that she soaked in water to make some kind of porridge for her children. “I remember when my local community organization told me I was eligible for WFP’s cash-for-training programme, it was one of the best days of my life,” recalls Nada. WFP’s cash-for-training in Jordan invests in human capital by providing opportunities to poor and vulnerable Jordanians to join the labour market and become productive citizens.

Taking part in WFP’s vocational training means participants receive on-the-job training with different companies and organizations before they become full-time employees.

Nada receives 10 Jordanian Dinars (around US$14) for every day she spends learning how to sew. After completing the training, Nada will obtain an accredited certificate that will help her get a job as a seamstress or work from home. Now that Nada earns money, she can cook Mujadara, a simple, delicious and nutritious dish that is very popular in the region.

1. Wash bulgur and soak in a bowl of water for 15 minutes.
2. Slice onions and deep fry in a pan using both olive and vegetable oil.
3. In a different pan, boil lentils until tender.
4. Then add bulgur to onions and lentils in a large pan and stir well.
5. Season with salt, pepper and cumin.
6. Pour two cups of water and bring to a boil then lower the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
7. Fry more onions and sprinkle on top of the Mujadara as a garnish before serving.
8. Serve the Mujadara with sides of salad and yogurt.

Food assistance to most vulnerable households, eventually combined with professional training or community work aimed at building resilience and strengthening livelihoods.

WFP is implementing a Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation (PRRO) that started in April 2014 with the aim of addressing the short-term food needs of targeted vulnerable populations and protect their livelihoods.