Egyptian Koshari is a popular dish that originated in Egypt and has become a staple in Egyptian cuisine. This dish is a hearty and delicious combination of pasta, rice, lentils, chickpeas, and a spicy tomato sauce, topped with crispy fried onions. It is a great comfort food and can be enjoyed as a main course or side dish.

Egyptian Koshari is a hearty and filling dish that is perfect for a comforting meal. The combination of pasta, rice, lentils, and chickpeas provides a variety of textures and flavors, while the spicy tomato sauce ties everything together.

The dish starts with cooking the lentils until they are tender, which takes about 20-25 minutes. It is important to rinse the lentils before cooking them to remove any dirt or debris. Once they are cooked, they are set aside.

Next, the elbow macaroni is cooked according to the package instructions and set aside. The short-grain rice is rinsed and cooked in boiling salted water until it is tender, which takes about 15-20 minutes. Once the rice is cooked, it is drained and set aside.

The chickpeas are rinsed and set aside as well.

The caramelized onions are the star of the dish and take about 10-15 minutes to cook until they are golden brown and crispy. They are set aside and used as a garnish later.

In the same skillet, garlic is added and cooked until fragrant, which takes about 1-2 minutes. Tomato paste, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper are then added to the skillet and cooked until the tomato paste is incorporated and the spices are fragrant.

To make the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper are combined in a separate pot and cooked until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together.

In a large bowl, the cooked macaroni, rice, lentils, and chickpeas are mixed together. The tomato sauce is then poured over the mixture and mixed well.

The dish is served hot, garnished with the caramelized onions and fried onions.

Koshari is a versatile dish that can be served as a vegetarian option or with the addition of meat, such as beef or chicken. It is a popular street food in Egypt and can be found in many food stalls and restaurants.

Nutritionally, Koshari is a good source of fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates. It is also low in saturated fat and cholesterol, making it a healthy option for those who are looking for a filling and nutritious meal.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make Egyptian Koshari:

Ingredients:

1- 1 cup elbow macaroni

2- 1 cup short-grain rice

3- 1 cup brown lentils

4- 1 cup canned chickpeas

5- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

6- 1 onion, thinly sliced

7- 2 cloves garlic, minced

8- 2 tablespoons tomato paste

9- 1 teaspoon cumin

10- 1 teaspoon coriander

11- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

12- Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce:

1- 1 can of crushed tomatoes

2- 1 tablespoon olive oil

3- 2 cloves garlic, minced

4- 1 teaspoon cumin

5- Salt and pepper to taste

For the Garnish:

1- Fried onions

Instructions:

1- Rinse the lentils and cook them in a pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 20-25 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2- Cook the elbow macaroni according to the instructions on the package. Drain and set aside.

3- Rinse the rice and cook it in a pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and set aside.

4- Rinse the chickpeas and set them aside.

5- In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced onions and cook until they are caramelized and golden brown, stirring occasionally. This will take about 10-15 minutes. Once done, remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.

6- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

7- Add the tomato paste, cumin, coriander, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant and the tomato paste has been incorporated.

8- Add the can of crushed tomatoes, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper to a separate pot. Cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened and the flavors have melded together.

9- In a large bowl, mix the cooked macaroni, rice, lentils, and chickpeas together.

10- Pour the tomato sauce over the mixture and mix well.

11- Serve the Koshari hot, garnished with the caramelized onions and fried onions.

Notes:

1- Koshari can be served as a vegetarian dish or with the addition of meat, such as beef or chicken.

2- For an extra layer of flavor, you can add some vinegar to the tomato sauce.

3- Koshari is a popular street food in Egypt and can be found in many food stalls and restaurants.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 517
• Total Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 394mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 89g
• Dietary Fiber: 15g
• Sugars: 7g
• Protein: 21g

 here are the nutritional values for the ingredients listed:

1 cup elbow macaroni

• Calories: 221
• Carbohydrates: 43.2 g
• Protein: 8.1 g
• Fat: 1.3 g
• Fiber: 2.5 g

benefits:Provides carbohydrates for energy and some protein. It's also low in fat.

1 cup short-grain rice

• Calories: 242
• Carbohydrates: 53.2 g
• Protein: 4.4 g
• Fat: 0.4 g
• Fiber: 0.6 g

benefits:A good source of carbohydrates and fiber, and it contains small amounts of protein and various vitamins and minerals.

1 cup brown lentils

• Calories: 230
• Carbohydrates: 39.9 g
• Protein: 17.9 g
• Fat: 0.8 g
• Fiber: 15.6 g

benefits:High in protein and fiber, low in fat, and rich in iron and folate. They are also a good source of complex carbohydrates.

1 cup canned chickpeas

• Calories: 210
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Protein: 10.7 g
• Fat: 3.8 g
• Fiber: 9.6 g

benefits:High in protein and fiber, low in fat, and a good source of vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• Calories: 240
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 27 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits:Contains unsaturated fats, which are healthier than saturated fats. It also provides vitamin E.

1 onion, thinly sliced (approx. 1 medium)

• Calories: 44
• Carbohydrates: 10.3 g
• Protein: 1.2 g
• Fat: 0.1 g
• Fiber: 1.9 g

benefits:Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It also contains fiber, vitamin C, and other nutrients.

2 cloves garlic, minced

• Calories: 9
• Carbohydrates: 2.0 g
• Protein: 0.4 g
• Fat: 0.0 g
• Fiber: 0.1 g

benefits:Contains compounds with potential health benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and improving cholesterol levels. It also has antioxidant properties.

2 tablespoons tomato paste

• Calories: 30
• Carbohydrates: 7.0 g
• Protein: 1.5 g
• Fat: 0.0 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g

benefits:A concentrated source of vitamins and minerals, especially lycopene, a powerful antioxidant.

1 teaspoon cumin

• Calories: 8
• Carbohydrates: 0.9 g
• Protein: 0.4 g
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g

benefits:Contains antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties. It's also a good source of iron.

1 teaspoon coriander

• Calories: 5
• Carbohydrates: 0.9 g
• Protein: 0.2 g
• Fat: 0.1 g
• Fiber: 0.6 g

benefits:Contains antioxidants and may have antibacterial properties. It also provides some vitamins and minerals.

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• Calories: 2
• Carbohydrates: 0.4 g
• Protein: 0.1 g
• Fat: 0.1 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g

benefits:Contains capsaicin, which may help reduce appetite and increase fat burning. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Salt and pepper to taste

• Varies based on quantity used; minimal calories

benefits:While they don't provide significant nutritional benefits, they can enhance the flavor of the dish without adding many calories.

For the Sauce:

1 can of crushed tomatoes (approx. 1 3/4 cups)

• Calories: 149
• Carbohydrates: 35.0 g
• Protein: 7.6 g
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Fiber: 9.2 g

benefits:Rich in vitamins C and K, as well as antioxidants like lycopene. They also provide fiber and hydration.

1 tablespoon olive oil

• Calories: 119
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 0 g
• Fat: 13.5 g
• Fiber: 0 g

benefits:A good source of monounsaturated fats, which may help reduce the risk of heart disease. It also contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

2 cloves garlic, minced

• Calories: 9
• Carbohydrates: 2.0 g
• Protein: 0.4 g
• Fat: 0.0 g
• Fiber: 0.1 g

1 teaspoon cumin

• Calories: 8
• Carbohydrates: 0.9 g
• Protein: 0.4 g
• Fat: 0.5 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g

Salt and pepper to taste

• Varies based on quantity used; minimal calories

For the Garnish:

Fried onions (approx. 1/2 cup)

• Calories: 200
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Fat: 12 g
• Fiber: 2 g

benefits:While frying onions adds calories and fat, onions themselves are nutritious and provide antioxidants and other health benefits.

Koshari is a nutritious dish that is high in fiber and protein, making it a great option for vegetarians and vegans. It is also a good source of complex carbohydrates and can provide a sustained source of energy. However