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Koshary كشري
Course: Main DishCuisine: Egyptian Street FoodDifficulty: Medium, Middle EasternServings
3
servingsPrep time
30
minutesCooking time
50
minutesCalories
450
kcalIngredients
- Base:
1 cup brown or green lentils (rinsed)
1 cup short-grain rice (washed, drained)
1 cup small macaroni (elbow or ditalini)
1 cup vermicelli pasta (broken into small pieces)
1 cup chickpeas (cooked or canned, rinsed)
2 cups vegetable stock (or water)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt & black pepper to taste
- Crispy Onions (Topping):
3 large onions (thinly sliced)
1 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
- Tomato Sauce:
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp paprika or chili powder (optional, for heat)
2 tbsp white vinegar
Salt & pepper to taste
- Garlic Vinegar Sauce (Dakka):
3 cloves garlic (crushed)
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp vinegar
½ cup water
1 pinch of chili flakes (optional)
Salt to taste
Directions
- Prepare the Onions (Topping)
Heat oil in a large pan.
Add sliced onions, fry until deep golden brown and crispy.
Remove and drain on paper towels. (Reserve the onion oil for cooking rice.) - Cook the Lentils
In a pot, add lentils + 3 cups water.
Simmer until just tender (about 20 min). Drain and set aside - Cook the Rice + Vermicelli
In another pot, heat 2 tbsp onion oil.
Add vermicelli, stir until golden brown.
Add washed rice + salt, stir.
Add 2 cups stock/water, cover, and cook until fluffy (about 15 min). - Cook the Pasta
Boil macaroni until al dente, drain.
Toss with a little oil to prevent sticking. - Make the Tomato Sauce
Heat olive oil, sauté garlic until golden.
Stir in tomato paste, cook 1 min.
Add crushed tomatoes, cumin, coriander, paprika.
Simmer 10–15 min until thickened.
Stir in vinegar, adjust salt/pepper. - Make the Garlic Vinegar Sauce (Dakka)
In a small saucepan, cook garlic in a little oil until fragrant.
Add water, vinegar, cumin, chili, and salt.
Simmer 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat. - Assemble the Koshary
In bowls, layer: rice/vermicelli → lentils → pasta → chickpeas.
Spoon tomato sauce generously on top.
Add garlic vinegar sauce (to taste).
Sprinkle crispy onions over everything.
Notes
- Authentic koshary is served in layers, not mixed (each person stirs before eating).
- The crispy onions are the soul of the dish — don’t skip!
- Can be made vegetarian/vegan-friendly (it already is!).
- You can prepare each component in advance, then assemble when serving.
- Cures (Benefits): High in protein & fiber (lentils + chickpeas).
Very filling & energizing.
Budget-friendly and 100% plant-based.
Nutrition Facts
3 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories450
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat
10g
16%
- Cholesterol 0mg 0%
- Sodium 700mg 30%
- Total Carbohydrate
80g
27%
- Dietary Fiber 12g 48%
- Protein 15g 30%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
