Kushari (Egyptian Lentil and Rice Dish)

Personal Note

“Kushari reminds me of my family’s warm weekend lunches and the vibrant streets of Cairo. It’s simple, comforting, and feels like home on a plate.” —Maged Hassan

👨‍🎓 Submitted by Maged Hassan, Class of 2025
🎓 Majors: Education Administration, Quantitative Economics & Econometrics, Architectural Studies | Entrepreneurship Pathway
📍 Home Country: Egypt
🍽 Serves: 6
🕒 Prep Time: 20 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 45 minutes
🌱 Dietary Info: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Halal

Ingredients

Base:

• 1 cup rice
• 1 cup brown lentils, rinsed
• 1 cup elbow macaroni or small pasta
• 2 cups cooked or canned chickpeas

Tomato Sauce:

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cups tomato purée or crushed tomatoes
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp chili powder (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp vinegar

Crispy Onion Garnish:

• 3 large onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Optional Garlic Vinegar Sauce:

• ¼ cup vinegar
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ tsp chili powder (optional)

Instructions

• Lentils & Rice: Cook lentils in 3 cups of water with a pinch of salt for 20–25 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
  Cook rice separately with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• Macaroni: Boil pasta in salted water. Drain and set aside.
• Tomato Sauce: In a saucepan, heat oil and sauté onion until golden. Add garlic, cumin, and chili powder.
  Add tomato purée, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10–15 minutes. Stir in vinegar and simmer 2 more minutes.
• Fried Onions: Dredge onion slices in flour. Shake off excess. Fry in batches in oil over medium-high heat until crispy and golden. Drain on paper towels.
• Garlic Vinegar Sauce (Optional): Mix vinegar, minced garlic, and chili powder in a bowl.
• Assembly: Layer rice, lentils, and macaroni on a plate.
  Top with chickpeas, a ladle of tomato sauce, crispy onions, and (optionally) garlic vinegar sauce.

Cultural Context

Kushari is Egypt’s ultimate street food, a beloved blend of simple ingredients layered to perfection. Sold everywhere—from bustling Cairo corners to quiet family kitchens—it reflects the country’s heart, flavor, and resilience.

Did You Know?

The layering technique is what makes kushari so special. Each component is cooked separately to preserve its texture and taste—brought together only at the end like a symphony of flavors.