Authentic Egyptian Koshari: A Layered Comfort Dish
Experience the rich flavors of Egypt with this traditional Koshari recipe, hailed as the national dish of Egypt. This hearty meal combines layers of spiced lentils, fluffy rice, and macaroni, all topped with a tangy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions. Shadya Saleh from Lotus Catering & Fine Foods shares her expertise to create a delightful and satisfying dish that serves 10 to 12 people. With a balance of textures and flavors, Koshari is a perfect representation of Egyptian comfort food, making it an ideal choice for gatherings and special occasions.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
20
Ingredients
Ingredients
Vegetable Oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Yellow Onion
1 (finely diced)
Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (divided for cooking)
Ground Cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons (divided for cooking)
Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (divided for cooking)
Black Lentils or Brown Lentils
1 cup (washed)
Water
2 1/2 cups (for lentils)
Calrose Rice
2 cups (rinsed)
Water
3 cups (for rice)
Diced Tomato
28 oz can (use as is)
Water
1 cup (for tomato sauce)
Olive Oil
1/4 cup (for sauce)
White Vinegar
1/4 cup (for sauce)
Garlic
2 tablespoons (minced)
Ground Cumin
1/2 teaspoon (for sauce)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (for sauce)
Pure Chile Powder
1/4 teaspoon (for sauce)
Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (for sauce)
Macaroni
4 cups (about 1 lb) (cooked until al dente)
Fried Onions
to taste (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the finely diced yellow onion and sauté until it becomes soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
2
Stir in the salt, ground cumin, and black pepper. Continue to cook for an additional 1 minute to bloom the spices.
3
Add the washed black or brown lentils along with 2 1/2 cups of water. Turn up the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil.
4
Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-high and allow the lentils to cook for about 15 minutes, or until they are three-quarters cooked.
5
Add the rinsed Calrose rice and the remaining 3 cups of water to the pot. Bring the mixture back to a boil.
6
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for approximately 13 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked. (Be cautious not to overcook.)
7
Remove the pot from heat and let it stand for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Fluff the rice and lentil mixture gently with a fork; this should yield about 9 cups.
8
For the Tomato Sauce, combine the diced tomatoes, 1 cup of water, olive oil, white vinegar, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, chili powder, and black pepper in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat.
9
Reduce the heat as needed and simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 10 to 15 minutes. This will yield about 3 cups of sauce.
10
While the sauce thickens, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
11
To assemble the dish, arrange a generous portion of the lentil and rice mixture on each plate. Top it with a serving of macaroni, followed by a scoop of the tomato sauce.
12
Finally, garnish each dish with fried onions to taste. Ideally, the composition should consist of 2/3 rice and lentils to 1/3 macaroni, topped with a small amount of sauce and onions.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Authentic Egyptian Koshari?
Authentic Egyptian Koshari is a layered comfort dish and the national dish of Egypt, consisting of spiced lentils, rice, and macaroni topped with a tangy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions.
Who is the chef behind this Koshari recipe?
This recipe was shared by Shadya Saleh from Lotus Catering & Fine Foods.
How many people does this Koshari recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve a large group of 10 to 12 people.
What are the core components of Koshari?
The core components include a base of rice and lentils, a layer of macaroni, a spiced tomato sauce, and a garnish of fried onions.
What type of lentils are used in this dish?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of washed black or brown lentils.
What variety of rice is recommended for Koshari?
2 cups of rinsed Calrose rice are recommended for this recipe.
How is the tomato sauce made tangy?
The tanginess in the tomato sauce comes from the addition of 1/4 cup of white vinegar and minced garlic.
What spices are needed for the rice and lentil mixture?
The rice and lentils are seasoned with salt, ground cumin, and black pepper.
How long should the lentils cook before adding the rice?
Lentils should be cooked for about 15 minutes until they are three-quarters cooked before adding the rice.
What is the recommended cooking time for the rice once it is added?
The rice should simmer on low heat for approximately 13 minutes until fully cooked.
Why is the pot left to stand for 5 minutes after cooking?
Allowing the pot to stand for 5 minutes lets the flavors meld together before fluffing the mixture with a fork.
What is the total yield of the rice and lentil mixture?
The rice and lentil base yields approximately 9 cups of cooked mixture.
How much tomato sauce does this recipe produce?
The sauce ingredients yield about 3 cups of thickened tomato sauce.
What type of macaroni is used in Koshari?
The recipe uses 4 cups (about 1 lb) of macaroni cooked until al dente.
What is the ideal ratio for assembling a plate of Koshari?
Ideally, the dish should consist of 2/3 rice and lentils and 1/3 macaroni, topped with sauce and onions.
Is Koshari a vegetarian-friendly dish?
Yes, Koshari is a hearty vegetarian dish made primarily from grains, legumes, and pasta.
What kind of oil is used for the tomato sauce?
The tomato sauce is prepared using 1/4 cup of olive oil.
How much garlic is required for the sauce?
The sauce requires 2 tablespoons of minced garlic.
Does the tomato sauce have any heat or spice?
Yes, the sauce includes 1/4 teaspoon of pure chile powder and black pepper for a bit of heat.
What kind of onion is used in the base of the rice?
One finely diced yellow onion is sautéed as the starting base for the lentils and rice.
How much water is used to cook the lentils and rice separately?
2 1/2 cups of water are used for the initial lentil cooking, and an additional 3 cups are added for the rice.
Should the lentils and rice be washed before cooking?
Yes, the black/brown lentils should be washed and the Calrose rice should be rinsed before use.
How long does the tomato sauce need to simmer?
The sauce should simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes until it thickens slightly.
What size can of tomatoes is needed for the sauce?
A 28 oz can of diced tomatoes is required for the tomato sauce.
What is the first step in preparing the rice and lentil base?
The first step is heating vegetable oil in a large pot and sautéing the yellow onion until soft and translucent.
What is used to garnish the finished Koshari?
Crispy fried onions are used to garnish the dish to the diner's taste.
Is salt added to the macaroni water?
Yes, the macaroni should be cooked in a large pot of salted water.
What makes Koshari a good choice for gatherings?
It is a hearty, satisfying dish with balanced textures that serves a large number of people, making it ideal for special occasions.
What is the primary spice used in both the rice base and the sauce?
Ground cumin is a key spice used in both the rice/lentil mixture and the tomato sauce.
How should the final dish be presented?
It should be presented in layers, starting with the rice/lentil mixture, then macaroni, followed by sauce, and finally fried onions.