Koshari

When it comes to food, we are called connoisseurs and if you have any doubt try sending some food to my little one. She would tell you precisely if the pastry was fresh, if the rice were cooked to the fullest,if Parmesan in Alfredo is too much or too less 😄 so yes, my girls love all kind of flavors and food variations but what is their comfort food? Being the third culture kids, it’s hard to figure out what their comfort food is . Is it daal chawal, nehari, alfredo sauce pasta, macroni bechamel,molokhaya? It’s hard to decide simply because they have so many on the list. Koshari is top on the list and why not. If you are born and raised in Cairo and if your mom had this great love for Ataba and downtown alleys then chances are you had loved that comfort bowl of heaven called koshari. It’s the most popular street food there. And oh boy, it does taste so good. What I love most about this dish is how it helps you use those pantry staples. Everyone has rice, macaroni, lentils, salsa and onion lying around the house. Just use these and pamper your kids. Specially school lunches.

Ingredients: Salsa: * Cooking oil  * 1 small onion, grated * 4 garlic cloves, minced * 1 tsp ground coriander * 1/2 -1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional) * 1 28-oz can tomato sauce  * Salt and pepper * 1-2 tbsp distilled white vinegar Koshari: *Egyptian Rice ( Japanese rice would work ) 1 cup *Spaghetti : 1 cup *Black lentil : 1/2 cup *Chick peas :1/2 cup *Vermicelli pasta :1/2 cup *Fried onion : as desired Method: Cook rice, boil every thing else and set aside. Sphagtti to be stir fried. Now in a big pyrax bowl. Set the layers of rice, vermicelli , spaghetti, lentil and chick peas. Top it up with salsa and fried onion. As easy as that :) alot of mess though.. Salsa : Fry chopped onion and add garlic then three tomatoes pureed in blender followed by bottled salsa (2-3 tbl spoon) and a spoon of vinegar.if you want add powdered cumin and red chilli. Enjoy :) 

#maincourse