The most delicious Arabic food

IThe Ultimate Guide to Making Authentic Egyptian Koshary

Koshary (Koshari) is Egypt’s most famous street food—a hearty, flavorful dish made with rice, lentils, pasta, crispy onions, and a tangy tomato sauce. It’s a delicious combination of textures and flavors that will leave you wanting more! Follow this step-by-step guide to make authentic Egyptian Koshary at home.

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Ingredients

For the Base (Rice, Lentils, and Pasta):

• 1 cup short-grain rice, rinsed
• 1 cup brown lentils (or green lentils), rinsed
• 1 cup small pasta (like elbow macaroni or ditalini)
• ½ cup vermicelli noodles (optional)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ½ teaspoon salt

For the Crispy Onions:

• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• ½ cup flour (for coating)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Tomato Sauce:

• 2 cups tomato puree (or canned crushed tomatoes)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon chili powder (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Garlic Vinegar Sauce (Dakka):

• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon red chili flakes (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup water

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Crispy Onions:

1. Toss the sliced onions with flour and salt until coated.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the onions until golden brown and crispy.
3. Remove and place on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Set aside.

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2. Cook the Lentils:

1. In a pot, add lentils and cover with 3 cups of water.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until tender but not mushy.
3. Drain and set aside.

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3. Cook the Rice & Vermicelli:

1. In a pot, heat 2 tablespoons of oil, then add vermicelli and stir until golden brown.
2. Add the rinsed rice and stir for 1 minute.
3. Pour in 2 cups of water, season with salt, cover, and cook over low heat until rice is fluffy.

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4. Cook the Pasta:

1. Boil the macaroni or small pasta in salted water until al dente.
2. Drain and set aside.

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5. Prepare the Tomato Sauce:

1. In a pan, heat olive oil, then sauté garlic for 1 minute.
2. Add tomato puree, tomato paste, vinegar, cumin, salt, and chili powder.
3. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened.

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6. Prepare the Garlic Vinegar Sauce (Dakka):

1. In a small pan, sauté garlic in a little oil until golden.
2. Add vinegar, cumin, chili flakes, salt, and water.
3. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.

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7. Assemble the Koshary:

1. In a large serving dish, layer rice and vermicelli, then lentils, then pasta.
2. Pour tomato sauce over the top.
3. Drizzle with garlic vinegar sauce (Dakka).
4. Top with crispy onions and extra chili flakes if desired.

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Serve & Enjoy!

• Serve hot with extra sauce on the side.
• Add a squeeze of lemon juice for a fresh kick!

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Tips for the Best Koshary:

✅ Fry the onions until crispy—this gives Koshary its signature crunch!
✅ Use short-grain rice for the perfect texture.
✅ Don’t overcook the lentils—they should be tender but hold their shape.
✅ For extra spice, add a spoon of chili sauce to your plate.

Now you can enjoy authentic Egyptian Koshary at home! Would you like a variation, like a spicy version? 😊🔥