The Daring Gourmet

Grappling Each Dish By The Horns

Sign up for our newsletter!
No SPAM. Ever.Check out our privacy policy
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Shop

Home » Koshari (Egyptian Rice, Lentils and Macaroni with Spicy Tomato Chile Sauce)

Koshari (Egyptian Rice, Lentils and Macaroni with Spicy Tomato Chile Sauce)

February 21, 2013

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
1055shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Egyptian Koshari

Koshari (also spelled Koshary or Kushari) is the national dish of Egypt.  It’s served in virtually every Egyptian restaurant, in every Egyptian home, and on every Egyptian street corner.  Street vendors serve the dish from carts to people eagerly waiting in line to eat this beloved and highly popular dish.  An unusual combination, Koshari mixes lentils, macaroni noodles and rice into a single dish and it’s then topped with a spicy tomato sauce that uses a special Middle Eastern spice blend, garbanzo beans, and fried onions.  The idea sounds strange…until you taste it.  Then you’ll know why this dish is a favorite among Egyptians.

Egyptians and tourists fondly speak of the “Koshari Man,” the title bestowed upon street vendors who sell the dish from their carts.  Aziz Awad, who used to be a Koshari street vendor and now works at a downtown restaurant, describes it this way:  “The Koshari man grabs a bowl, and scoops a little of each ingredient into the bowl….Each Koshary dish takes about five seconds to [assemble]. His speed can be surprising to you. I have worked here since we opened 10 years ago, and before that I sold Koshary on a street cart, so I have to be fast. My hands are accustomed to the same movements I do all day everyday, so you can say that I memorized the movements rather than think about them” (www.touregypt.net).

Every Egyptian knows and recognizes the sound of Koshari being made from down the street.  Heba Fatteen Bizzari explains, “As the Koshari man scoops, he knocks his metal spoon against the sides of the bowls, making the Koshari symphony that you won’t hear elsewhere. When the Koshari man prepares an order of more than four the restaurant fills with sound as if it was a rehearsal for a concert. The restaurants of Koshari are very noisy. One sits to eat while the Koshari man practices his drums in your ears” (www.touregypt.net).

Though it is Egypt’s national dish, it isn’t actually Egyptian in origin.  Neither rice nor macaroni are indigenous to Egypt.  It is believed that Koshari originated in India and dates back to the time of British Colonization.  The name “Koshari” is actually from the Hindu “khichri”, which refers to a dish of lentils and rice.  When the British arrived in Egypt in the late 1800’s they brought this dish with them – it was inexpensive and filling.  It didn’t take long before the dish was enthusiastically embraced by the Egyptian people.

The crowning aspect of this dish is the flavor-packed, spicy tomato sauce.  It’s made with a special spice blend called Baharat (Arabic for “spice”), an all-purpose spice blend commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine.  Just a pinch adds depth and flavor to sauces, soups, stews and meat.  I stocked up on on a myriad of Middle Eastern spices when I was in Jerusalem and have been making my own blends since.

The Daring Gourmet in Jerusalem

Unless you have a Middle Eastern store in your area or order it online, this spice blend can be challenging to find.  However, as with any spice blend, it’s much better made fresh in your own kitchen anyway and I’m going to share my recipe for it with you!

Baharat Recipe

Egyptian Koshari baharat garbanzo beans onions macaroni lentils

Here is another Daring Gourmet recipe using this wonderful spice blend:  Chicken Machboos (Spiced Chicken and Rice – National Dish of Bahrain)

Chicken Machboos Middle Eastern Biryani Rice

Now let’s move on to the Koshari.  This recipe is very authentic and very simple to make, but be prepared to dirty up a few pots!

4.7 from 19 reviews
Koshari (Egyptian Rice, Lentils and Macaroni with Spicy Tomato Chile Sauce)
 
Print
The national dish of Egypt.
: The Daring Gourmet, www.daringgourmet.com
Cuisine: Egyptian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • 1 cup medium grain rice
  • 1 cup brown lentils
  • 2 cups small macaroni
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 garlic clove, quartered
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Salt to taste
  • For the Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced finely
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 (15 oz) can unseasoned tomato sauce (cooked/pureed tomatoes)
  • 2 tsp baharat spice blend (see recipe here)
  • ¼ teaspoon red chile flakes (omit if you dislike spicy hot)
  • 1 tbs red wine vinegar
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Crispy Onion Garnish:
  • 2 large onions, finely sliced
  • Oil for deep-frying
  • 1 (15 oz) can garbanzo beans
Instructions
  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the rice and fry it for 2 minutes, then add the vegetable stock. Bring it to a boil, decrease the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
  2. Rinse the lentils under cold water and add them to another medium saucepan with 2 cups of water. Add the garlic, cumin and bay leaf and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Once cooked, add the salt and stir to combine. Strain any excess liquid if necessary.
  3. Cook the macaroni according to package instructions until al dente.
  4. Note: Prepare the rice, macaroni and lentils while the sauce is simmering and leave them covered in the pots to keep warm.
  5. To make sauce:
  6. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and add the onion. Cook until soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the garlic and saute until golden brown. Add the tomato sauce, baharat, salt and pepper to taste, chile flakes (if using) and red wine vinegar. Bring it to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. To make the crispy onions, heat the oil in a skillet. Add the onions and fry until dark brown. Using a slotted spoon, remove them from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain and cool.
  8. Add the rice, lentils and macaroni to a large bowl and toss to combine (or simply scoop out desired amounts of each onto the plates). Sprinkle a little baharat over each portion and serve topped with some of the spicy tomato sauce. Top with garbanzo beans, the crispy onions and another sprinkle of baharat. Serve warm.
3.2.2708

 

Koshari Koshary national dish Egypt rice lentils macaroni baharat spicy tomato sauce

 

1055shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email

Filed Under: Affiliate, All Recipes, By Country or Region, Disclosure, Egypt, Food, Gluten Free, Main Dishes, Middle East, Travel, Vegetarian Tagged With: baharat, cuisine, Egypt. Koshari, food, gluten free, Koshary, Kushari, lentils, macaroni, middle east, national dish, pasta, popular, recipe, rice, sauce, spicy, tomatoes, travel, vegan, vegetarian

« Pink Grapefruit Buttermilk Muffins
Pink Grapefruit Cream Pie »

99 Responses

  1. Mary Cookson says

    December 30, 2020 at 3:53 am

    I have been living in Egypt for some years now, and I love koshary! But when I first tasted it, I really did not like it much. After tasting a few different koshari from different places, now I actually crave it. It is lovely with taamaya and sweet tea. My neighbor makes it with some ground beef in it and hers is the best I have had, of course. The original koshary is a cheap way to feed a big family and wonderful meal for vegans. Thanks for your recipe. If I ever leave Egypt, I will make it, but with all these koshary places, why should I? :)

    Reply
  2. Charles Azar says

    October 19, 2020 at 9:29 pm

    I’ve been to Egypt several times and love the country, people and koshari!! I’ve made this several times and the part I have most difficulty with is the proportion of each ingredients once mixed. Can you suggest what it should be?
    P. S. Your recipe is on point

    Reply
  3. Mary says

    September 20, 2020 at 3:17 am

    Thanks for posting this recipe. I liked it and is different to my family’s recipe. My dad was from the Suez Canal and his recipe is rice, lentils and pasta which are cooked separately. The pasta we use is the rice shaped pasta, risoni. We don’t add chickpeas but eat Koshari with Tameyes, the broad bean and Egyptian Herb patties and with Molohia, the spinach and chicken soup! a beautiful feast indeed!

    Reply
  4. Sandra says

    July 31, 2020 at 7:41 pm

    The recipe varies depending on how each Egyptian family cooks it. My Egyptian food obsessed family did not add chick peas or red wine vinegar. They use more white vinegar, garlic and red pepper flakes than most recipes call for in the tomato sauce; lus extra white vinegar and garlic on the side for each person to decide how much to use. (I add some red wine vinegar to the tomato sauce). Purists NEVER cook the rice, pasta and lentils together in one pot as it muddy’s the taste and the colour of the rice and pasta. The lentils cannot be mushy. The crispy onions must be cut very thinly and sprinkled with corn starch before frying at medium heat max until they are very crispy and dark brown; then lightly salt after putting them on a cooling rack. The secret is in making the tomato sauce taste great and the onions crispy. It’s all in the details which most recipes don’t provide.

    Reply
  5. jonathan daniels says

    May 9, 2020 at 11:55 am

    My mother who was a Greek from Alexandria made koshari with rice and lentils served with lots of brown cooked chopped onions. That’s the real koshari dish. No pasta or chick peas.

    Reply
    • Amira says

      December 29, 2020 at 10:17 am

      there must be pasta in it,mabye because your mother is a greek but we make it with pasta in egypt

      Reply
  6. Alicia says

    April 16, 2020 at 8:48 am

    When I saw this in the cold case in a Mediterranean deli I was told “it’s an Egyptian dish” and was intrigued. I bought some and kinda liked it. Found your recipe and decided to make it since all the ingredients were in my pantry and I found the spice mix in the international section of my grocery store. I enjoy learning about ethnic dishes and this was a new one for me! Yes, it’s a carb overload but I served it as a side to some oven baked chicken thighs and a salad. My husband and I both enjoyed it and I’ll make it again, particularly since I have lots of time now staying home. I did use chicken broth for the recipe for more depth of flavor over vegetable stock. Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      April 16, 2020 at 8:57 am

      Wonderful, Alicia, I’m so glad you both enjoyed it, thank you!

      Reply
  7. Gillian Brako says

    April 5, 2020 at 7:02 am

    I have lived in egypt for 15 years and went back home last year. This recipe was exactly like the Koshari made in egypt. Although it’s full of carbs and as one of the comments here . I don’t know if you lived in egypt but the Egyptian eat like this. I’d stand in d supermarket and stare at they carts full of pasta rice oil potatoes. When I say full I mean full , lots n lots of oil and packets of pasta. So maybe it’s just the way they eat but the recipe is spot on I just wanted you to know. It was really lovely and I enjoyed it this afternoon. I even stored the spice I ground it smelled divine..

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      April 6, 2020 at 8:44 pm

      Thank you so much for that feedback and those insights, Gillian, I appreciate it!

      Reply
  8. Matt says

    March 13, 2020 at 10:26 pm

    Yup great dish would love some day to try the street edition

    Reply
  9. Susan Billings says

    February 29, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    I loved this! What a wonderful flavor and texture experience! Much depth!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      February 29, 2020 at 10:23 pm

      Thank you, Susan, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  10. Alexandra Abraham says

    January 22, 2020 at 10:28 pm

    I am so sorry. I really can’t get excited about this. I followed all the instructions to the letter and cooked everything as the recipe required. It took a long time, but I finally dished it up, and all I really thought when I had finished eating, was just how much stodge I had just eaten. Rice, pasta lentils, chickpeas… there was no variety of density it just felt heavy and starchy, with no different textures or sensation. It just felt like a huge effort, just to chew each mouthful! Well at least I know I won’t be making it again. One type of carbohydrate-rich ingredient is ok. 4 at once, is a definite overload, no matter how nutrient-rich they all might be. It’s too much heavy density at once. You might as well add fried potatoes to it, and finish off the carb spectrum!
    This is a lot of work for a bulky result, even with the tomato sauce. It’s the sauce that is actually the only thing that literally holds it all together. Without it, it’s just a mélange of bulk. Incidentally, I am an experienced cook, and have worked in professional kitchens, so I do have a slight edge over many domestic Goddesses…

    Reply
    • Angela says

      February 13, 2020 at 9:00 pm

      You should go to Egypt and have it there, along with a felafel sandwich. The history of this dish will help make sense of its ingredient combination. At least you tried and now you know, not every dish out there will be your cup of tea. For Egyptians and those of us who’ve tasted it in the motherland, it is a winner! Plus, YAY, it’s vegan :)

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      March 24, 2020 at 3:40 am

      Nice! Delicious!

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      May 14, 2020 at 1:58 am

      If you want to get more flavor, cook the lentils with the rice. Then you get both their flavors. Or better yet, let each ingredient sit inside water overnight (separately), then cook them together. Also, the onions need to be very crispy, so make sure that they are.

      Reply
  11. Tania says

    November 9, 2019 at 10:13 am

    A friend who visited Cairo kept raving about Koshari, so when he came for dinner, we looked up a recipe on the internet and came across your site. I liked what I read about the dish and the particular mix of ingredients (which according to our friend was authentic), so we gave it a try. Needless to say, it has been a hit ever since and is a regular in our rotation of menus. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      November 9, 2019 at 2:54 pm

      That’s wonderful, Tania, I’m so glad to hear that, thank you!

      Reply
  12. Cindy says

    May 1, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    My son is making this for his potluck at his Arabic class. We have to prepare everything the night before I will prepare the lentils, macaroni, sauce, and rice, in advance and store in Tupperware. What’s the best way to put everything together the next day? Should I heat everything up individually and then mix it, or mix it all together while cold and warm it up in the oven before putting the sauce on?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      May 1, 2019 at 10:47 pm

      Hi Cindy, that sounds like a fun and tasty potluck. Yes, you can just mix everything up, reheat it and add the sauce.

      Reply
  13. Mark Green says

    March 31, 2019 at 1:23 pm

    I wanted to try making this but I can only get tomato puree “double concentrate” in small cans, how much of this should be used and how much should it be diluted?

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      March 31, 2019 at 10:10 pm

      Hi Mark, yes that’s no problem. Dilute it with water using a 1:1 ratio (1 cup water per 1 cup tomato puree). Happy cooking!

      Reply
  14. Gary in Arizona says

    June 22, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    Oh my. This is it! That’s the spice blend I have been looking for. Now, while I have never had Koshuri in Egypt, the late Anthony B. (R.I.P. Anthony) Egypt episode of No Reservations sent me searching. I found a place here in Phoenix that serves it, and no recipe I have found had what I was tasting in the tomato sauce. I have read many recipe’s that contained this, this, and this, and I just said “No, that is not the depth of flavor I am tasting”…until now. SPOT ON Kimberly, spot on. Bravo! Made this for my mom, and sister. It’s a hit! Thank you so much for your travels, and your blog. This, and the Baharat recipe have been pinned, as well as a few others. :)

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      June 22, 2018 at 5:30 pm

      I’m so thrilled to hear that, Gary, thanks so much for the feedback!

      Reply
  15. Dani says

    March 5, 2018 at 2:26 pm

    Thank you so much for this recipe and the Baharat recipe. I tried this dish at a restaurant this weekend and immediately fell in love. Unfortunately, the restaurant is two hours from where I live so it’d be hard to fulfill any cravings. I made your recipe last night with a few tweaks and it was so good. The sauce is almost identical to the restaurant. I made barley instead of rice & pasta since I’m cutting back on starches for my diet and it was fantastic. I love trying new vegetarian friendly dishes. Definitely adding this one to my repertoire.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      March 5, 2018 at 3:28 pm

      So glad you enjoyed it, Dani, thank you!

      Reply
  16. Jules says

    March 1, 2018 at 5:11 am

    I recently discovered this recipe and it is so fabulous I’d like to have it every day! The sauce alone is so good I’m going to make a batch of it to use on pasta. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      March 1, 2018 at 9:56 am

      Wonderful, Jules, thanks so much!

      Reply
  17. Pauline says

    January 8, 2018 at 2:06 pm

    Thank you so much for the recipe. I am dating someone from Egypt so I thought it was time to learn new recipes. I made it for my family first and they loved it. The real test will come when he tries it. By the way, I followed your recipe for the blended spice Baharat….awesome…loved it!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      January 8, 2018 at 4:11 pm

      Awesome, Pauline, and I’m so glad you made the Baharat! Thanks so much and yes, please let us know what your boyfriend thinks when he tries it.

      Reply
  18. Johnson says

    October 28, 2017 at 4:25 am

    Thank you for the wonderful recipe and for sharing the experience behind it. Suqs in Muharraq, Madinat at Isa and Bab al abahrain are ideal places to go looking for the perfect spices. Preparing Baharat from scratch sure improves the flavours so much than stores bought pack.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      October 28, 2017 at 10:21 am

      Thanks for the tips, Johnson, and I agree – nothing compares to making spice blends from freshly toasted and ground whole spices.

      Reply
  19. Anonymous says

    August 12, 2017 at 10:53 am

    What s The vegetable stock please ? Thank you

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      August 12, 2017 at 11:57 am

      Vegetable broth.

      Reply
  20. Sonja says

    June 4, 2017 at 5:27 am

    Thank you so much! I’ve just rediscovered koshari and was so happy to be able to make this with my (currently) barely-stocked pantry ingredients. Absolutely love the accompanying baharat recipe; I had to go with your koshari after seeing what the baharat entailed. Will definitely be doing some research to find what else I can use it in.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      June 5, 2017 at 9:34 am

      Wonderful, Sonja, I’m so glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

      Reply
  21. brinacyl says

    April 7, 2017 at 10:51 am

    excellent recipe

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      April 9, 2017 at 6:05 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  22. Saadia says

    November 7, 2016 at 7:13 am

    I had saved this recipe a longtime ago. Yesterday I got the chance to try and it turned out amazing. Thank you! I will forward your link to my friends group.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      November 7, 2016 at 11:07 pm

      That’s wonderful, Saadia, thank you so much!

      Reply
  23. Sylvia Wulf says

    July 4, 2016 at 12:48 pm

    I stumbled upon your site by sheer luck whil hunting for something else entirely – serendipity! After 25 years of being stuck cooking boring meat & potato dishes, first for my late husband then a like-minded roommate – I am finally free to explore all the tastes of the world. My spice collection and condiments etc currently outnumber the actual food in my tiny kitchen LOL

    This is going to be one of my first new recipes since I have most of the ingredients on hand (love rice & lentils!) and I will be back for more inspiration! Thank you ;-)

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 4, 2016 at 4:41 pm

      Thank you, Sylvia, and I’m so happy to have you on board! International cuisine, with its vast palate of flavors, is my passion – I think you’ll find plenty here to keep your taste buds happy :) I hope you’ll visit frequently. Best, Kimberly

      Reply
  24. Deborah says

    December 14, 2015 at 11:35 am

    Thank you, thank you, thank you! We love this recipe.

    My third generation Egyptian sister in law makes a variation where she cooks the lentils with broth, onions, cumin and garlic and leaves them quite soupy. Then, instead of making the spicy tomato sauce, she tops the dish with lots of chopped fresh tomatoes and tons of her wonderful fried onions. The piece de resistance – she drizzles the browned olive that she used to fry the onions over the top.
    I’m thinking from now on we’ll be eating your recipe in the winter and hers in the summer when the tomatoes are overgrowing our garden.
    I love the spice mixture – can’t wait to try the chicken dish.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      December 14, 2015 at 6:21 pm

      Thanks, Deborah! Most people are really surprised at how amazing this dish is the first they try it. I’m so happy you enjoyed it and YES, the Winter/Summer plan sounds perfect, thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  25. Yasmine says

    May 19, 2015 at 4:13 am

    I also agree with Mahy – BAharat is a Libyan spice mix, also similar to Lebanese 7-spice mix. We don’t use it and you can’t get it here.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      May 19, 2015 at 2:51 pm

      Hi Yasmine, as I replied to another comment, I’ve gotten contradicting feedback from several Egyptians via comments and personal emails. But whatever the case may be, the baharat with its complex flavors adds a remarkably delicious dimension to this dish and in the end, that’s what matters most!

      Reply
  26. Yasmine says

    May 19, 2015 at 4:10 am

    Hi Kimberly -thanks for writing so evocatively about Egypt. I just want to say, looking at your recipe, and the beautiful picture -I just want to add some notes for extra authenticity.
    First, the vinegar. Egyptians only know and use plain old wine vinegar. Red wine vinegar is fancy/expensive/unheard of.
    Second, your recipe omits a second and very important sauce called the Dukka. This is ground cumin, garlic and chili in vinegar. This is added separately at the table.
    Third, the ratio of rice to macaroni is a bit wrong. There is a lot more macaroni in authentic Egyptian koshari. Also, Egyptians never cook anything al dente. We like to cook the heck out of everything, including pasta :)
    Fourth, your onions needs to be much much darker than this. You need them to be the colour of darkest caramel, of chestnuts. Not of honey.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      May 19, 2015 at 2:45 pm

      Hi Yasmine, thanks for the feedback! Your description of “cooking the heck out of everything” reminds me of the Brits. I lived in England for 6 years and love the country but their boiled vegetables are something that never quite grew on me :) Have a wonderful week! Best, Kimberly

      Reply
  27. Ashley says

    March 23, 2015 at 8:06 am

    Hi Kimberly! My husband is Egyptian and I am always looking for Egyptian recipes. I have found lots of Koshari recipes, and tried several, but this is the first one that my husband has given his seal of approval!! This recipe will be my go to Koshari recipe from now on!! Thank you so much for posting…and I loved the article too!!:)

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      March 23, 2015 at 1:12 pm

      I’m so happy to hear that, Ashley, and really appreciate the compliment and feedback – thank you! :)

      Reply
  28. mahy says

    February 12, 2015 at 10:26 am

    Hi,as an egyptian I really appretiate your work but l have just a little note.we use only salt,pepper and some use cumen but never use baharat.try also dawood pasha kofta served with egyptian rice cooked with vermicelli cuts as another taditional egyptian dish.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      February 12, 2015 at 10:43 am

      Hi Mahy! I’ve had several other Egyptian readers confirm the authenticity of this dish. I was even contacted by Egypt’s official board of tourism who complimented its authenticity and wanted to use this on their Wikipedia site. Like most traditional dishes in any country, I’m sure there will always be variations from household to household. The dawood pasha kofta sounds wonderful, thank you for the recommendation!

      Reply
  29. Newsome says

    December 30, 2014 at 8:47 am

    I made this recipe last night, and my husband and I really liked it. I didn’t have any cardamon, so I used a tiny bit of garam masala seasoning. My husband said it did taste a lot like the koshari we used to eat when we lived in Cairo. :) It made plenty for 4 people, so we’ll be enjoying the leftovers! Next is the spiced chicken and rice dish. Thanks for sharing these recipes!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      December 30, 2014 at 9:10 am

      Thanks so much for your feedback, Newsome, and I’m thrilled you enjoyed it! You’ll love the Bahraini spiced chicken, the flavor is fantastic. Let us know how it goes! Best, Kimberly

      Reply
  30. Westfalia Journal says

    December 16, 2014 at 6:42 pm

    I wasn’t sure of this recipe at first but was intrigued by the concoction of spices…. the aroma and the taste was delicious, we loved it!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      December 16, 2014 at 7:38 pm

      Wonderful, I’m happy you enjoyed it! Yes, it’s one of those dishes that initially sounds a little boring but the flavor combination is fabulous and the delicious sauce really brings it all together.

      Reply
  31. Anonymous says

    October 27, 2014 at 11:58 am

    I tutor a little Egyptian boy through our church’s tutoring program. So I have interest in what he eats. I made this today and it was fabulous. I ate 2 small bowls. Filling and the spicing mixture was the best compliment. I am taking a dish to his house today to see what they think. They are always so sweet and generous and their house smells wonderful as grandma cooks dinner.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      October 27, 2014 at 12:13 pm

      I’m thrilled to hear that, thanks so much! What a neat opportunity to tutor this boy and to experience a bit of Egyptian culture in their home…next you need a dinner invite to sample some of grandma’s authentic Egyptian cooking :)

      Reply
  32. ptsorange says

    September 10, 2014 at 7:04 am

    Wow, made this for dinner yesterday – PERFECT! I just added a bit of sugar to the tomato sauce. Served all 6 of us

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      September 10, 2014 at 7:42 am

      Awesome, ptsorange! So glad it was a hit!

      Reply
  33. Bunny says

    August 2, 2014 at 1:39 am

    Great to see a good koshari recipe. I’ve also used your baharat recipe for a few dishes so far and keep looking for more ways to use it because it is a unique flavour. I’ve been making koshari (without proper baharat – until now) for years and found your blog while doing some research to find info on it for a blog post of my own on koshari: http://tinyurl.com/n2bv9ka . I’ve found myself coming back to your blog often since then. I’m keen to try your Spicy Moroccan Veggie burgers, Chicken Machboos and Balsamic Glazed Steak rolls in the next few weeks.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      August 2, 2014 at 9:02 am

      Thanks, Bunny, I’m happy you found my blog! Baharat really is a wonderful spice blend, isn’t it? Let me know what you think of the dishes you mentioned once you’ve had the chance to try them. Thanks again and happy cooking!

      Reply
  34. Anonymous says

    July 24, 2014 at 6:11 am

    This was good! I will make again, next time either reducing the macaroni to a cup or increasing the amount of sauce. Also I caramelized the onions in a bit of butter or olive oil instead of deep frying them (I’m after the flavor more-so than the texture) and they added so much to the dish.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 24, 2014 at 8:08 am

      Wonderful, I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’m the kind of person who likes a lot of gravy, sauce, ketchup, condiments, etc with my food, so when I make this I usually double the sauce. In keeping with tradition though, I’ve presented this recipe as it’s eaten in Egypt. Same with the onions. I love the texture of the crispy fried onions and that’s what I use for this dish, but I’m also a pushover for those marvelous slow-caramelized onions :)

      Reply
  35. Don says

    July 23, 2014 at 9:02 am

    Dumb question… is that two cups of cooked macaroni or uncooked? I assume uncooked but that seems like a lot relative to the amount of rice.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 23, 2014 at 10:15 am

      Hi Don! Yes, it’s 2 cups of uncooked macaroni. Happy cooking!

      Reply
  36. Matthew says

    July 18, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Koshari is great – and very healthy! High fiber, high protein, vegan, and if you measure your ingredients carefully (and omit the crispy onions), about 425 calories will fill you up. Thanks for getting this recipe out there!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 18, 2014 at 11:58 am

      So true, Matthew! But I couldn’t live without those crispy onions!! If it means an extra 10 minutes on the treadmill, SO worth it! :)

      Reply
  37. Emily says

    July 15, 2014 at 11:50 pm

    There are 3 instances of onion called for in your ingredients (once in the main bunch, once with the sauce, and once with the crispy onions), but they are only in the instructions for the sauce and crispy onions bits. The “2 large onions, thinly sliced” are unaccounted for.

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 16, 2014 at 8:40 am

      Hi Emily, thanks for pointing that out! The “2 large onions, thinly sliced” are for the crispy onions portion only.

      Reply
  38. Anonymous says

    July 12, 2014 at 2:35 am

    有机会的话,很想品尝下!!!

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 12, 2014 at 8:20 am

      Google Translation: “There is a chance, would like to taste the next! ! !”

      Excellent, happy cooking and enjoy!

      Reply
  39. Natalie Tamara says

    July 6, 2014 at 5:28 am

    Ah how wonderful! I remember eating a lot of Koshary when I stayed in Cairo. I also remember just how huge the portions always were for such a filling dish. Will have to try making my own sometime with this delicious recipe :)

    Reply
    • Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      July 6, 2014 at 8:38 am

      It’s true the portions are very generous in that region of the world. Very different than, for example, France where you leave the restaurant still starving! :) Thanks for visiting, Natalie, and enjoy the Koshari!

      Reply
  40. jazz says

    January 27, 2014 at 1:18 pm

    i tried your recipe and believe me it was fantastic…thanks for such an authentic recipe…i had kushari in saudi arabia and then in dubai and now i m in toronto and was craving for it and it really satisfied my taste buds…thanks once again:)

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      January 27, 2014 at 4:14 pm

      Ah, that’s so wonderful to hear, Jazz! I work very hard to create the most authentic recipes possible and I’m always so thrilled to receive feedback like yours from people who are familiar with “the real thing.” Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know what you thought! Best, Kimberly

      Reply
  41. Chef Mireille says

    January 19, 2014 at 11:30 am

    what a great recipe – just waiting for the rice to finish cook and then I will be enjoying it for my lunch – I cook all types of global food and so glad to learn about this new recipe..thx

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      January 19, 2014 at 3:07 pm

      Thank you, Chef Mireille! So glad you’re making this and thank you for stopping by!

      Reply
  42. Yasser Mostafa says

    December 20, 2013 at 6:20 am

    As an Egyptian I would love to say that you’ve done a wonderful job. The dish looks absolutely gorgeous! Can I please use this picture in Egypt’s Wikipedia page in the “Cuisine” section? It will be a fantastic addition to the page.

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      December 20, 2013 at 12:32 pm

      Thank you very much for the compliment, Yasser! I really appreciate that.

      As to the Wikipedia matter, as much as I’d like to say yes, I unfortunately have to say no. The reason being, any pictures submitted to Wikipedia become public domain and can be used by anyone at any time for anything (including commercial use) – without restriction. Still, I greatly appreciate your compliment and I thank you for visiting.

      Reply
  43. Sally says

    September 17, 2013 at 1:00 am

    Not sure if I’m not reading the recipe right but when do you add the quartered clove of garlic and 2 onions finely sliced? Is it with the lentils?

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      September 17, 2013 at 7:41 am

      Hi Sally! The garlic is added in step 2 with the lentils and the onions are added in step 6. The instructions for the crispy fried onions that go on top are in step 7.

      Reply
  44. Salma Soliman says

    August 24, 2013 at 8:01 am

    Hi Kimberly,
    I was looking for a recipe for mango chutney when I found your site, which I like,its really daring and innovative. I present a cooking show in our middle eastern area, a channel called Fatafeat ,I liked your koshari recipe as am Egyptian,I tell you the recipe is quite right (save from the garlic in the lentil) and the photo looks truly authentic. Also loved your chicken with mango chutney,I didn’t try it before and will cook it soon at home . Thank you for the delicious site. :))

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      August 24, 2013 at 10:37 am

      Hi Salma! I am so flattered by your compliments and truly appreciate your kind words. I am sure your cooking show is amazing! I am so happy you found my site, greatly appreciate your feedback (and most certainly welcome more!), and hope you’ll return often. – Kimberly

      Reply
  45. Crystal says

    July 29, 2013 at 6:22 am

    Gosh, my pantry was bare, and I googled “tomato sauce and rice,” which is what I was down to, and this recipe popped up! I didn’t have the chickpeas, and used brown rice spaghetti that I broke into pieces, since I had no macaroni. I also made the baharat with the spices I had on hand. This was sooooo delicious! Very satisfying and comforting, not to mention cheap! This will become a dish in our rotation for sure. Thanks so much for posting it!

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      July 29, 2013 at 7:41 am

      Crystal, that’s wonderful! You know what they say about necessity being the mother of invention and that goes for food, too! Some of the best recipes I’ve developed have come as a result of my determination to use a specific set of ingredients rather than let them go to waste. And yes, cheapness is one of the reasons this is Egypt’s national dish – it’s simple, easy, delicious and inexpensive. I’m so happy you found and enjoyed this recipe and appreciate your feedback!

      Reply
  46. Jay and Kelly Young says

    July 22, 2013 at 8:03 pm

    We made this tonight, and I had to stop myself from going back for thirds! Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      July 22, 2013 at 8:16 pm

      SO happy to hear it, Jay and Kelly! Since you enjoyed both the Chicken Machboos and Koshari so much, I’ll need to make a note to post some more Middle Eastern dishes in the near future. Thank you so much for making this and for your feedback!

      Reply
      • Tina says

        August 4, 2019 at 5:00 am

        We made this last night. My daughter spent 16 days in Egypt and eat it every day and loved it. My only suggestion would be to make you crispy onions before you start anything else.

        Reply
  47. Christine says

    July 7, 2013 at 5:44 pm

    I just made a batch of the spice mixture so that I can try both the kosheri and chicken recipes later in the week. Now my kitchen smells great!

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      July 7, 2013 at 6:24 pm

      Hi Christine! Wonderful! I love the smell of freshly prepared spice blends! I’d love to hear what you think of the other recipes once you’ve made them!

      Reply
    • Anonymous says

      July 18, 2019 at 12:32 pm

      Hindu is the religion. You mean Hindi, as in the language :)

      Reply
  48. Joe says

    April 8, 2013 at 9:32 am

    Thank you for this recipe. I used to live in Egypt and every recipe I made prior to this did not use Bahrat. That made it taste just like I remember. Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      April 8, 2013 at 10:07 am

      You are very welcome, Joe! I’m so glad that you found my site and tried this recipe. There are some other great North African and Middle Eastern recipes on here – and many more to come. I hope you’ll visit again!

      Reply
  49. Samantha @FerraroKitchen says

    April 4, 2013 at 8:49 am

    This is fascinating! I am always looking for different cultures to experience but I have never, ever tried Egyptian food! Thank you :)

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      April 4, 2013 at 8:52 am

      You are so welcome and thank you for visiting!

      Reply
  50. Julia says

    February 21, 2013 at 10:30 pm

    I feel like I just learned so much from this post! I love ethnic foods with warm spices and different ingredients, so this dish has me intrigued! I’m pinning it to my to try board!!

    Reply
    • The Daring Gourmet says

      February 22, 2013 at 9:27 am

      Thanks, Julia! It’s really so much fun, isn’t it? To try new foods with new flavors and to simultaneously learn about the accompanying culture….It makes for great conversation around the dinner table while enjoying the dish you’re talking about.

      And this particular dish is so kid-friendly, too. Rice, lentils, macaroni, tomato sauce…what’s there not for a kid to love? :) (Just leave out the red chile flakes!)

      Reply

Add your Response Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




Rate this recipe:  

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

kimberly killebrew the daring gourmet

Welcome!  I’m Kimberly and I share delicious originals, revitalized classics and authentic dishes from around the world.  Come travel the world through your taste buds!

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure:
The Daring Gourmet is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Receive the latest from The Daring Gourmet!

No SPAM. Ever.Check out our privacy policy
  • About
  • Request
  • Contact
  • Privacy

· Copyright © 2021 The Daring Gourmet - All Rights Reserved ·

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Shop