KOSHARI
KOSHARI
#SIAintheKitchen
KOSHARI - serves 6 - 8
3 cups basmati rice
4 cups water
1.5 cups dried green lentils
1.5 cups dried chick peas
2 cups macaroni
handful wheat vermicelli
4 tbsp vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, grated
2 onions, sliced into rings
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 (398ml) can tomato sauce
4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsps ground cumin
1/2 tsp dried red chili flakes. + additional for serving
salt + pepper, to taste
Cover and soak the lentils and chick peas with water in two separate bowls overnight.
Wash the rice a few times to rid of any impurities. Add 4 fresh cups of water and mix with the drained lentils. Cook in a rice cooker, about 40 minutes.
Toss the sliced onion rings in flour. Shake off any excess flour and set aside.
In a saucepan, heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil. Break the vermicelli in thirds or fourths and toast until browned over medium heat. Be careful to watch it as to not burn it. Remove from heat and lay on a paper towel.
In the same pan, add 2 tbsp of vegetable oil and fry the onion rings over medium-high heat. Cook until nicely browned and crispy, about 12 - 15 minutes.
Transfer the chick peas to a pot and cover with additional water. Bring the pot to a boil and then lower to a simmer to cook the chickpeas until cooked, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
In another pot, cook the macaroni in a pot of salted water until al dente, about 5 - 6 minutes after boiling. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Lastly, in a small saucepan, heat the last tbsp of vegetable oil over medium-high heat and add the grated onions, chili flakes and ground cumin. Cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the minced garlic cook until it begins to brown. Add the tomato sauce and apple cider vinegar and cook until heated through. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Once all elements of the Koshari is cooked, begin to assemble as you please! I like to layer the rice-lentil mixture on the bottom, top with chick peas and fried vermicelli, the tomato sauce and garnish with crispy fried onions. Be sure to leave some chili flakes on the side if you love some heat!