Koshari
Koshari is an iconic and delicious vegan dish from the streets of Egypt, that has found popularity world wide.
Ingredients
Rice & Vermicelli layer
- 2/3 cup long grain rice
- 4 Tbsp Vermicelli
- 1 Onion
- Salt to taste
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1.5 cups water for cooking rice (approximately)
Lentil layer
- 2/3 cup brown lentil (whole)
- 1 dry bay leaf
- Salt to taste
- 3 cups water (approximately)
Pasta layer
- 2/3 cup elbow macaron
- Salt to taste
- Water to boil macaroni
Chickpea layer
- 1.5 cups boiled chickpeas (You can also use canned chickpeas)
Tomato sauce
- 1 cup tomato paste: 1 cup
- 1 chopped tomatoe
- 4-5 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- 1 tsp Red chili flakes
- Salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 cup water
Barista layer
- 1 large onion
- 1/2 tsp corn flour
- Oil for frying
Koshari dressing
- 1 cup water
- 2 Tbsp white vinegar
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1 tsp red chilli flakes
- 2-3 garlic cloves
- Salt to taste
Method
Soak the lentil in water for 15-20 minutes
Mince garlic for sauce and dressing
Finely chop one onion for rice layer
Thinly slice one onion for frying, sprinkle some corn flour, mix well and keep aside
In a saucepan, add water and salt and boil for cooking pasta
Take a small bottle or bowl with a lid, fill it with all the ingredients of dressing, shake well and keep aside
Rice & Vermicelli mix
Heat olive oil in a pot, fry onion till it starts turning brown. Then add the vermicelli and fry for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Wash rice nicely and drain the water
Add rice to the vermicelli pot and fry for 2-3 minutes
Now add in the salt and water. Cook till the rice is cooked properly
Keep aside
Lentil
In a pot add soaked lentil, water, bay leaf, and salt. Cook till lentil is 90% cooked. We don’t want mushy lentil for
Koshari
Drain out the excess water with a strainer. Don’t throw away the water. I use it to cook the rice. You can also do it to add extra flavor to the rice. However, in that case, cook lentil before cooking the rice
Pasta
Add pasta to the boiling water and cook al dente. Keep aside
Chickpeas
Take the boiled chickpeas in a bowl and warm it in a microwave before serving
Tomato sauce
In a saucepan put all the ingredients of sauce and cook for around 15 minutes. Switch off the gas and keep the sauce aside
Birista
Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the onions till they turn golden brown
Take out the onions on a tissue paper and spread the onion strings when they are still hot otherwise they will stick together. Let them come to room temperature
Serving
Take a serving plate and spread a layer of rice on it
Put lentil on top of it followed by pasta, chickpeas, sauce, and fried onions
Pour dressing at the end depending on your taste
Serve warm and enjoy the awesome national dish of Egypt
While eating dig in to the lowest layer and ensure that each spoon has a bit of every layer and dressing in it
Recipe and photo by www.greenbowl2soul.com
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