Koshari

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