Here Comes the Mummies

Egyptian cuisine contains some interesting dishes, but perhaps the most unexpectedly delicious is Kushari, an odd blend of pasta, rice, and lentils in spicy tomato sauce.

Kushari

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

3/4 cup lentils

1/2 cup rice

1 cup macaroni

3 cups water

Caramelized onions:

3 tbsp olive oil

2 onions, sliced into rings

Spicy tomato sauce:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 can tomato paste

2 medium diced onions

7 garlic cloves, diced

2 tsp vinegar

salt

pepper

chilli pepper flakes

Cooking:

Bring 3 cups water to a boil, add lentils. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add rice, simmer covered for 15 minutes. Separately, boil macaroni according to package.

To make the spicy tomato sauce, heat 2 tbsp oil and then sauté (over medium heat) diced onions until soft. Add garlic and fry until caramelized (pale brown in color). Add tomato paste and vinegar. Add crushed tomatoes. Season with chilli pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste, and simmer 1/2 hour to 1 hour.

Heat 3 tbsp oil and then sauté sliced onions until caramelized. Strain oil, and put the sliced onions on paper towels.

Combine the cooked lentils, rice, and macaroni, in an oiled pot, and cook over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve topped with spicy tomato sauce and caramelized onions.

This might look like a lot of effort, but you'll be thankful you did it! This recipe turned out fantastic!