Egyptian Koshary

Description

This recipe is one of the most famous recipes in Egypt. It’s a traditional food that is delicious and savory.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 2 cups uncooked white rice
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked elbow macaroni
  • 1 cup beluga lentils, soaked in water
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 5 onions, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
  • 4 ripe tomatoes, diced
  • ½ cup tomato paste
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in rice; continue stirring until rice is coated with oil
  2. about 3 minutes. Add 3 cups water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low
  3. cover
  4. and simmer until the rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed
  5. 20 to 25 minutes.
  6. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni
  7. and return to a boil. Cook the macaroni uncovered
  8. stirring occasionally
  9. until the it has cooked through
  10. but is still firm to the bite
  11. about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander. Return macaroni to cooking pot
  12. cover and keep warm.
  13. Soak lentils for 30 minutes. Drain and rinse; drain again. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a pot and stir in lentils. Bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until lentils are tender 15 or 20 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt.
  14. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions in the oil
  15. stirring often
  16. until they begin to brown
  17. 10 to 15 minutes. Onions should be a nice caramelized brown color. Add garlic and cook another minute. Remove from pan
  18. drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
  19. Place half of the onion mixture into a saucepan. Mix in the vinegar. Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste
  20. black pepper
  21. 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
  22. cumin
  23. and cayenne (if using). Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer about 12 minutes.
  24. Serve by placing a spoonful of rice
  25. then macaroni
  26. and then the lentils on serving plates. Sprinkle with some of the browned onions
  27. then top with tomato sauce.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 1 hr 35 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins

Servings: 12

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