Koshari is very similiar to chili. It is made of lentils, rice and tomato sauce and cab be spicy. Koshari is a fast food meal in the Middle East, and is offered by street vendors in cities like Cairo. There are many variations, but this recipe is my absolute favorite!
INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup lentils
• 1 cup white rice
• 1 cup uncooked macaroni (orzo or elbows)
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper ot teaspoon hot sauce

PREPARATION:

Place lentils in saucepan and bring to a boil. Allow to simmer on low for 30 minutes, or until tender.

While, lentils are cooking, also cook white rice in 2 cups of water, or according to package directions.

Also, cook macaroni noodles in until al dente.
Combine lentils, rice and macaroni in large pot.

Saute onions and garlic in pan in olive oil until browned.

Add tomato sauce to onions and garlic and heat until bubbling. Remove from heat.

Place a serving of lentil mixture on a plate and cover with sauce. Sprinkle red pepper on top and serve.

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CrescentHomes real estate, TurkishLiving & EgyptianLiving forums.

Yum, this sounds very interesting! Do you ever add any kind of meat, or
is that not allowed with this recipe? There are some tomato sauces now that have chilies and peppers, garlic, etc. already in it. I think that would be good. Do you prefer orzo or elbows? Do you serve it with any kind of bread, or by itself?

It's made is many ways, meat can be added too, I suppose it's the local version of McDonald's maybe?

There are Koshari outlets everywhere (expect touristic areas, didn't see many in Naama Bay)

The pasta tubes I have seen used were just the straight ones, not very long.

It's a meal on its own, can't remember if they serve it with bread on not.

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CrescentHomes real estate, TurkishLiving & EgyptianLiving forums.

The best Koshari I ever had was at the bottom end of Talaat Harb Street, near to Midan Tahrir.... cannot remember the name of the place though. It was my daughter's first taste of koshari and she loved it!

Isis the place called Abu Tarek , it is one of the most famous places for Koshari and sorry for everyone , you can not add any meat on it , it is supposed to be a cheap meal for poor people , so they consider the cost. never servded with bread or meat or any thing. it is just a meal on its own. you can only add chili sauce and fired onion.

you have to try it as you have to try Falafel.

xxx

If Abu Tarek is on Talaat Harb, then thats the place.... wonderful Koshari!

no it is not in th main street of Talaat harb Street it is in a side street from Talaat hard. i guess you mean Felfela then. that is the only restaurant near Tahrir in Talaat harb . both are very good anyway.


xxx

This sounds delicious. It is almost like something we would make here that would be a cheap meal. I bet you could make a big pot of this and it would go a long way.

with 10 Egyptian pounds you can make a big pan enough for a big family .


xxxx

I have been looking for a pita recipe and this one is nice and fast to make up. Hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I did!

2 cups flour
2 1/4 teaspoons quick-rising yeast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups hot water (but not boiling)
1-1 1/2 cup flour
Combine first four ingredients in a large bowl.
Beat well about 1 minute.
Then mix in the remaining flour, using just enough to make a soft, sticky dough.
Turn out on floured board and continue to knead for 5 minutes.
Divide into 8 balls.
Roll out each one to about 1/4 inch thick and 6 inches in diameter.
Place on very lightly greased cookie sheet sprinkled with cornmeal (although cornmeal is really not necessary if you don't have it).
Let rise in warm place for 25-35 minutes .
Bake at 450 for 4 min, and then turn over for 4 more minutes or until lightly browned.
Wrap immediately in a dishtowel for 3 or 4 minutes.


By the way, I found this recipe on http://www.recipezaar.com if you are interested in looking at more great Egyptian recipes.