How to make Egyptian popular dish Koshary

Koshary is a popular Egyptian dish that consists of a mix of rice, lentils, macaroni, and chickpeas, topped with a flavorful tomato sauce and fried onions. It's a hearty and nutritious vegetarian dish that is often enjoyed in Egypt but may not be as well-known in some other parts of the world.


-:Ingredients:-
For the Koshary:
* 1 cup dried brown lentils
* 1 cup long-grain white rice
* 1 cup small pasta (such as elbow macaroni)
* 1 cup cooked chickpeas (canned or cooked
    from dried)
* Salt, to taste

For the Tomato Sauce:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Fried Onions:
1 large onion, thinly sliced
Vegetable oil, for frying

For Serving:
Vinegar (optional)
Hot sauce (optional)

-:Instructions:-

Prepare the Lentils:
Rinse the lentils and place them in a large saucepan with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and set aside.

Prepare the Rice and Pasta:
Cook the rice and pasta separately according to their package instructions. Remember to salt the cooking water for both.

Make the Tomato Sauce:
In a saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until they become soft and translucent.Add the crushed tomatoes, ground cumin, ground coriander, chili powder, salt, and pepper to the saucepan. Simmer the sauce for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and the flavors meld together.

Fry the Onions:
Heat enough vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to cover the sliced onions. Heat the oil over medium-high heat.Add the thinly sliced onions to the hot oil and fry until they become golden brown and crispy. Make sure to stir them occasionally for even frying. Remove them from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Assemble the Koshary:
In a large serving dish or individual plates, start by layering the cooked rice, followed by the cooked lentils, pasta, and cooked chickpeas.Pour the tomato sauce over the layers. You can use as much or as little sauce as you like, depending on your preference.Top the Koshary with the crispy fried onions. Serve hot, optionally with a side of vinegar and hot sauce for extra flavor. Some people also like to add garlic sauce or tahini.

Koshary is a hearty and satisfying dish that's both nutritious and flavorful. Enjoy your homemade Egyptian Koshary!