Koshari Lentils And Rice With Tomato Sauce Recipes

EGYPTIAN KOSHARI RECIPE (THE BEST I'VE HAD)

Steps:

• Soak the dried lentils and dried chickpeas in water for 3 hours prior to making koshari.
• See note 3 if using canned chickpeas. Boil 1 cup of dried chickpeas until semi-cooked (about 45 minutes to an hour). Drain water.
• Add fresh water and 1/2 tbsp of cumin. Boil chickpeas a second time for another 30 minutes.
• Once chickpeas are cooked, squeeze 1/2 of a lime over chickpeas.
• Chop 2 medium onions into circles. Mix with flour and set aside for 30 minutes prior to frying.
• Fry in oil, preferrably sunflower oil. Using a frying spatula, remove the onions from the oil. Set onto a paper towel and set aside.
• Keep the sunflower oil to use some of it in other parts of the recipe.
• Blend 3 tomatoes, 1 bell pepper, 1/2 medium onion, and 3 garlic cloves in the food processor.
• If you would like a spicy sauce, add 1 spicy pepper.
• Add 1/2 tsp of ground cumin, 1/2 tsp of ground coriander, 1 tbsp of oil (from the fried onions), salt, and pepper. Add juice from 1 lime.
• Blend and set aside.
• Blend 1.5 medium onions in a food processor.
• In a high-rimmed stovetop pot, add 2 tbsp of oil (from the fried onions). Cook the onions on medium heat for about 15 minutes.
• Add the brown lentils (these will be about 2.25 cups after being soaked) and 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes.
• Turn down heat to medium-low. Add 2 cups of dry rice and 1 more cup of water.
• Add salt and pepper. Mix the koshari rice and cover.
• Continue to cook on medium-low heat covered until the rice has finished cooking (about 12 minutes).
• Turn off the stove and allow the rice to rest covered for 5 minutes.
• Boil water and add about 1 tbsp of salt.
• Break the spaghetti pasta in half, then break the half again making quarter-size sections of spaghetti. Break about 15 spaghetti noodles at the same time.
• Add the spaghetti pasta and elbow pasta to the boiling water.
• Cook the pasta until desired firmness.
• Drain the pasta and set it aside.
• Blend 5 medium tomatoes in a blender. Strain tomatoes into a bowl.
• Fry 2 tbsp of oil (or ghee) with 1 tsp chili flakes (or chili powder) for 30 seconds then add 5 minced garlic cloves.
• Add 2 tbsp of tomato paste and 2 tbsp of vinegar for about 30 seconds before adding the blended tomatoes.
• Add 1 tsp of cumin, 1 tsp of coriander, 1 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp of ground pepper.
• Boil for about 10 minutes.

KUSHARI - EGYPTIAN RICE, LENTILS, AND PASTA WITH SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Clean the onions, cut them in half, then slice in thin half-circles.
• In a medium pan, heat oil to 350 degrees F. You want just enough oil to cover the onions, about 3 cups.
• Cook onions in oil, stirring occasionally. Keep an eye on the edges around the pan, that will darken too quickly first.
• When they are golden brown, lift them out with a slotted spoon and spread on a layer of napkins. Keep them spread out so they can stay crispy.
• Keep the onion oil - you'll use it in three other places in the Kushari.
• Simmer lentils in water until they are almost soft, about 20-25 minutes, then drain. You don't want to fully cook them at this point because they will be cooked further with the rice.
• In the same pan, heat 4 tablespoons onion oil. Sauté rice and cumin in oil about 30 seconds then add lentils, broth, salt, and 1 handful of the fried onions, smashed.
• Bring to a boil. After boiling, cover pan with lid, turn heat to low, and cook until rice is done, about 15 minutes. Turn off heat, let rest for 10 minutes, then fluff with fork. Keep covered until ready to use. Wrapped in a blanket, the rice will stay warm for several hours.
• Cook the ditalini in salted, boiling water until al dente. Drain.
• Toss with ¼ cup onion oil and salt to taste.
• Cover and keep warm until ready to use. Wrapped in a blanket, the pasta will stay warm for several hours.
• Sauté onion and green pepper in 2 tablespoons of the onion oil until they are soft.
• Add garlic, tomato, vinegar, bouillon cube, and salt to taste. Let simmer 10 minutes. Turn off heat. Keep warm until ready to use.
• Either layer the separate components in a big serving dish or in individual bowls. First a layer of the rice and lentils goes in. Then the pasta, sauce, and finally the fried onions.
• If you are using the optional chickpeas, add them on top of the sauce and before the onions.
• For the optional extra garlic vinegar sauce, see notes.

KOSHARI - LENTILS AND RICE WITH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Place lentils in saucepan with 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer on low for 30 minutes, or until tender. Add rice to the lentils and cook for another 20 minutes or so, until rice is tender.
• Meanwhile, cook macaroni according to package directions to an al dente stage.
• Combine lentils, rice and macaroni in large pot.
• Saute onions and garlic in pan in olive oil until browned.
• Add tomato sauce to onions and garlic and heat until bubbling. Remove from heat.
• Place a serving of lentil mixture on a plate and cover with sauce. Sprinkle red pepper on top and serve.