Koshary facts for kids
Koshary
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| Type | mixed-macaroni dish |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Egypt |
| Serving temperature | warm or hot |
| Main ingredients | rice, lentils, macaroni, tomato sauce, vegetable oil, onions, cumin, coriander |
| Variations | chickpeas, hot sauce, garlic juice, vinegar, short spaghetti |
| Similar dishes | mujaddara |
Koshary (also spelled kushari or koshari) is a super popular dish from Egypt. It's even considered Egypt's national dish! You can find it everywhere, especially sold by street vendors. This yummy meal mixes pasta, rice, and brown lentils. It's topped with a tasty tomato sauce, garlic vinegar, and crunchy fried onions. Sometimes, chickpeas are added too. You can also get it with extra garlic juice or spicy hot sauce if you like!
Contents
The History of Koshary
Ancient Roots of Koshary
Koshary has a long history in Egypt. Ancient Egyptians had a dish called "Koshir." This name meant "Food of the rites of the Gods." It was a breakfast meal made with lentils, wheat, chickpeas, garlic, and onions. They cooked it all together in clay pots. A priest from Heliopolis even wrote about eating it after fasting.
Koshary: The Food of the Poor
Later, Koshary became known as "The food of the Poor." This version had fried onions, lentils, rice, macaroni, and lemon sauce. It's similar to some Mediterranean cuisine dishes. However, the Egyptian Koshary has its own special ingredients and flavors. The local Egyptian lemon sauce gives it a unique taste.
Koshary's Journey to Popularity
In 1853, an explorer named Richard Burton wrote about Koshary. He saw people in Suez eating it for breakfast. Their Koshary had Egyptian lentils, rice, butter, onions, and pickled lemons. Koshary first became popular from food carts. Later, restaurants started serving it too.
A Meal for Everyone
Today, Koshary is loved by many, especially workers. It's also great for big events because it can be made in large amounts. You can cook Koshary at home, or buy it from street stalls and restaurants. Some restaurants only sell Koshary! Since traditional Koshary doesn't use animal products, it can be a vegan meal.
Different Koshary Styles
Alexandrian Koshary
In the city of Alexandria, Koshary is made a bit differently. This version uses yellow lentils and rice. It also has curry and cumin mixed into the rice. This gives the Koshary a uniform yellow color. Alexandrian Koshary often comes with Egyptian rolled eggs. These eggs are boiled, then fried in butter. Instead of tomato sauce, it uses lightly pickled tomatoes. French fries are also served on the side.
Koshary Around the World
Koshary has become popular outside of Egypt too. You can find it in Eastern Arabia and Yemen. In these places, there are new variations. Some add grilled vegetables or use basmati rice. The rice might be white or yellow. Other recipes use different shapes of macaroni. Some even add chicken, making it a bit like kabsa.
Unique Koshary in Japan
In Japan, Koshary is sold from special carts. They add some ingredients that you wouldn't usually find in Egypt. These can include basil chicken, raw tomatoes, sour cream, fried eggs, Cheddar sauce, avocado slices, and spicy powder with jalapeño.
Instant Koshary
Just like instant noodles, you can now find instant Koshary! It's a quick and easy way to enjoy this Egyptian dish.
See also
In Spanish: Kushari para niños
