Egyptian Koshari

Ingredients

What you’ll need

• Crispy Fried Onions
• 2 large yellow onions (thinly sliced)
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• Rice & Lentils
• 1 cup brown or green lentils (rinsed)
• 1.5 cups long-grain basmati rice (rinsed and drained)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• salt and pepper
• Pasta
• 1 cup elbow macaroni or ditalini pasta
• Chickpeas
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas (rinsed, warmed)
• Spiced Tomato Sauce
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp white vinegar
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
• salt and pepper
• Dakka (Garlic-Cumin Sauce)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/2 cup hot water
• 4 tbsp white vinegar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

Method

How it comes together

1. 1

   Crispy Onions: Toss thinly sliced onions with cornstarch and 1/2 tsp salt. Heat 1 cup of vegetable oil in a deep skillet on medium-high. Fry the onions in batches, stirring often, for 10-12 minutes until deeply golden brown and crunchy. Drain on paper towels. Reserve the cooking oil (this onion-infused oil is the flavor base of the whole dish).

2. 2

   Rice & Lentils: In a medium pot, cook brown lentils in 3 cups of water for 15-18 minutes until al dente. Do not drain. In a separate pot, heat 2 tbsp of the reserved onion oil. Add basmati rice, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper, and toast for 2 minutes. Add cooked lentils along with 2.5 cups of their cooking water. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook on low for 15 minutes.

3. 3

   Pasta: Cook elbow macaroni in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, and toss with 1 tbsp of the reserved onion oil.

4. 4

   Tomato Sauce: Sauté minced garlic in 2 tbsp reserved onion oil until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Add white vinegar, tomato sauce, water, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, and chili flakes. Simmer on low for 15 minutes.

5. 5

   Dakka Sauce: Whisk minced garlic, white vinegar, hot water, lemon juice, cumin, salt, and cayenne.

6. 6

   Assemble: Layer the lentil-rice mixture, followed by the macaroni, spiced tomato sauce, warm chickpeas, and crispy fried onions. Serve Dakka on the side.