Name: Egyptian Recipe for Koshari
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: Egyptian
Ingredients: 5 medium onions; 2 cups dried chickpeas; 1/2 bag of spaghetti; 1/2 bag elbow pasta; 2 cup brown lentils; 4 cups dry rice; 11 whole tomatoes; 1 small packet of tomato paste or 3 tbsp; 12 garlic cloves; 2 bell peppers; 2 spicy pepper; white vinegar; ground cumin; ground coriander; 3 limes; salt and pepper to taste; oil for frying

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Let me begin by saying that this Egyptian recipe for koshari is more like a family recipe. Everyone makes koshari a little different. The main similarities though is lentil rice, pasta, some form of tomato sauce, and fried onions on top.

This recipe has two types of red sauce: a fresh red sauce and a cooked red sauce. Both sauces have very different flavor profiles, but when combined together, compliment each other very well.

This meal is not quick to make, however, it makes a very large amount. We have been eating this Egyptian recipe for koshari for 3 days now. And, I will only eat something for 3 days if it tastes good.

This recipe is vegan-friendly and budget-friendly.

On the downside, this recipe is quite involved as it has several parts to it. I made the list in order of how you assemble the bowl starting with adding the lentil rice first.

Lentil rice
Pasta
Chickpeas in cumin
Cooked red sauce
Fresh red sauce
Fried onions

Each part is easy to do, but if you are in a hurry, it can get overwhelming. So if you are making this for your first time, block off about 2 to 2.5 hours to take your time.

The ingredient amounts and number of servings for the recipe are in the recipe card at the bottom.

Make Chickpeas with Cumin

Boil dried chickpeas in water for about 45 minutes to an hour. Once they are semi-soft, drain the water.

Add cumin, salt, and more water back to the same pot. Boil the chickpeas a second time for another 45 minutes or until cooked completely. This is the step that takes the longest, so I’d recommend doing this first.

While the chickpeas are cooking, soak the lentils.

Make Fresh Red Salsa

Add 6 medium whole tomatoes, 1 medium onion, 2 bell peppers, and 5 garlic cloves to the food processor and blend on high.

Add 1 tsp of ground cumin, 3 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tsp of ground coriander, and salt and pepper to taste.

Add juice from 2 limes. Blend once more in the food processor. Transfer to a bowl.

Make Koshari Rice

Soak lentils in water for about an hour if possible. If you are short on time, then don’t worry! You can cook the lentils anyways.

Blend 2 medium onions in the food processor. Set a large pot to medium-high heat with 1/4 cup of oil.

Add onions and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.

Add all of the lentils to the pot (which will be larger than 2 cups if they have been soaking). Add roughly 8 cups of water and increase the heat to high.

Boil until the lentils are semi-cooked.

Add 4 cups of rice. Add enough water to reach the level of the lentil and rice mixture. Once the rice and lentils start to boil, turn down the heat to low and cover the pot.

Cook the lentils and rice for 15 to 20 minutes or until the rice and lentils are tender. After the lentil rice has cooked, remove from the heat and allow it to sit for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Boil Pasta

Boil water with salt. Add spaghetti past and elbow pasta. We like to use whole wheat pasta, but any type of pasta will work. Cook pasta. Drain and toss with a light amount of olive oil.

Make the Fried Onions

While the rice and pasta are cooking, chop the onions into circular pieces. Toss with flour. Fry in oil.

I like my fried onion crispy like below.

Make Cooked Red Sauce

Blend 5 tomatoes in a blender. Strain and set aside.

Fry 6 garlic cloves with chilis or chili powder in oil (to your desired spicy level). Add tomato paste and vinegar. Add tomatoes. Cook for a few minutes, then add ground cumin and coriander.

Assemble the Koshari Bowl

After all of this hard work, I’m sure you are ready to eat!

The secret to an amazing bowl of koshari is the right portions of each layer. Personally, I go overboard with the fresh red sauce and fried onions. But, experiment for yourself what you prefer.

Would you like to try another authentic Egyptian recipe? Try the molokhia with roasted chicken recipe.