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Cozy Egyptian Koshari Recipe

Egyptian koshari recipe - featured image
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A warm, filling Egyptian street food dish made with lentils, rice, pasta, tangy tomato sauce, and crispy fried onions. Perfect for a comforting homemade meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
  • 1 cup small elbow macaroni or ditalini pasta
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (neutral flavor, like canola)
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar (white or apple cider)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil for frying
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional garnishes: chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, hot sauce or chili vinegar

Instructions

  1. Cook the lentils: In a large pot, cover the rinsed lentils with 3 cups (24 fl oz) of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
  2. Cook the rice: In the same pot, add 1 1/2 cups (12 fl oz) water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the rinsed rice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed and rice is fluffy. Remove from heat and keep covered for 5 minutes.
  3. Boil the pasta: Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
  4. Prepare the tomato sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in crushed tomatoes, cumin, coriander, chili flakes, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. Fry the onions: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Fry, stirring frequently, until golden brown and crisp, about 10-12 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  6. Assemble the koshari: In a large serving dish, layer the cooked rice, lentils, and pasta. Pour the warm tomato sauce over the top, then sprinkle generously with crispy onions. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
  7. Serve immediately with extra hot sauce or chili vinegar on the side.

Notes

Do not overcook lentils to avoid mushiness. Rinse rice and pasta thoroughly to remove excess starch. Maintain medium-high heat when frying onions to achieve crispiness without burning. Season each component separately for balanced flavor. Lentils can be partially blended for creamier texture. Tomato sauce benefits from longer simmering for richer flavor. For gluten-free, substitute pasta or omit it.

Nutrition

Keywords: koshari, Egyptian street food, lentils, rice, pasta, comfort food, vegan, gluten-free option, tomato sauce, crispy onions

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/cozy-egyptian-koshari-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-meal-guide/