Koshari Recipe: Taste of Egypt
Koshari is not a bad place to start; it is right deep in the flavors of Egyptian cuisine. Comforting, hearty, great for vegetarians, too-in other words, it is a delicious mixture of lentils, rice, pasta, and tangy tomato sauce, all topped with crispy onions. In this post, I will show you just how easily you can prepare your own Koshari right in the comfort of your home. Let's dive into it, shall we?
What is Koshari?
In fact, many consider it to be the national dish for Egypt. This is one heavy yet healthy meal prepared from some simple ingredients combined in harmony. Traditionally served in a bowl, Koshari is the real epitome of how even the humblest of ingredients can combine to create something very special.
Ingredients You'll Need
For the Base:
1 cup lentils, brown or black preferred
1 cup rice, medium grain
1 cup small pasta, such as macaroni or ditalini 4 cups water for cooking For the Tomato Sauce: 2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 can, 14 oz, crushed tomatoes 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp coriander Salt and pepper, to taste Chili powder, to taste, optional for heat For the Crispy Onions: 2 large onions, thinly sliced 1 cup flour Oil for frying Instructions Step 1: Cook Lentils and Rice
Cooking the Lentils: Wash the lentils with cold water. Transfer them to a pan containing 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
How to Cook the Rice: In a separate pot, bring 2 cups of water to boil. Add the rice; cover, turning heat to low. Cook until the rice is fluffy and all the water is absorbed. Using a fork, fluff and reserve.
Cook the Pasta: Put water in another pot, bring to a boil, and cook the pasta according to package directions. Then drain and set aside.
Step 2-Preparation of Tomato Sauce
In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and fry until golden brown.
Add minced garlic, stir around, and cook for another minute.
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Add a pinch of chili powder if you want it to be a little hot. Reduce to low heat and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Crispy Onions
Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
Toss thinly sliced onions in flour until well coated. Remove the excess flour.
When golden and crispy, remove the onions with a slotted spoon onto paper towels to drain off excess oil.
Step 4: To Assemble
Put large layers of lentils, rice, and pasta.
Smear the layers generously with the prepared tomato sauce.
Top off with crispy fried onions for that perfect crunch.
Serving Suggestions
Koshari is best served hot. For those who love that extra kick, well, one can always help themselves to a little more tomato sauce or vinegar. For those whose food taste buds say a little stronger is better, well, you might have some chili sauce on the side.
Final Thoughts
It takes some time to make Koshari at home, but it is well worth the effort. It is sufficient for any gathering, family dinner, or cozy night in. This will surely amaze all of your friends and family; it will even bring a taste of Egypt right into your kitchen.
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