Koshari (or Kushari) - Egyptian lentils and rice recipe

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Koshari (or Kushari) - Egyptian lentils and rice recipe

 

(serves 6)

 

Lentils are a staple food of the Middle East and Koshari is a popular way to serve them in Egypt. Koshari can be found in "fast food" type of places such as Abu Tariq’s in Cairo, sold from carts by street vendors or made in the home. As with most homestyle foods, there can be many variations of this dish.

 

Ingredients:

 

1 cup brown lentils

 

1 cup rice

 

1 cup uncooked macaroni (orzo, small shells or elbow macaroni)

 

2 large onions, diced

 

2 tablespoons oil

 

2 cups tomato sauce

 

hot chili powder or sauce

 

salt

 

Method:

 

Cook the lentils in salted water until tender and strain. Cook the rice in salted water until tender and drain. Also cook the macaroni, rinse and strain.

 

Place lentils, rice and macaroni in a cooking pot. Fry onions in the oil until browned, then drain the onions on absorbent paper towel and strain the oil into the lentil mixture. Return to the cooking surface and cook for 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and burning.

 

Place mixture on each plate and top with tomato sauce, onions and sprinkle with hot chili powder or sauce if desired.

 

Variation: Omit macaroni and double the amount of rice or substitute the whole of the rice and pasta for wheat.

 

Variation: Combine lentil mixture, sauce and onions in pot, heat and serve on plates.

 

 

Flor

 

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matthew 7: 7-8 KJV