Kushari
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kushari or kosheri (Egyptian Arabic: كشرى; translit: kusharī) is a popular traditional Egyptian national dish, normally eaten in specialty Kushari restaurants that serve little else. It consists of a base of rice, black lentils, chickpeas, macaroni, and a topping of Egyptian garlic and vinegar and spicy tomato sauce (salsa). Small pieces of deeply fried onions are commonly put as an extra topping. Often meat (shawarma) is available as an extra topping, but kushari is overwhelmingly eaten in its vegetarian state, sometimes in fast-food establishments that also serve ta'amiyya/falafel. Smaller restaurants serve either kushari or ta'amiyya while larger ones (often chain restaurants) serve both.
Kushari is one of the most common and most popular dishes in Egypt. It is probable that every Egyptian has eaten kushari at least once in his/her life. Tourists are also drawn to kushari since its tastes (other than the spicy sauce) are almost universal, and starches are easy on delicate foreigner stomachs. Along with kushari and soft drinks, the most common other dish at kushari establishment is a sweet rice pudding (Egyptian Arabic: رز باللبن, ruzz bil-laban; literally "rice with milk").
Served at Iftar, kushari is also available at restaurants, some specializing in just this dish. There is also a variation on this dish popular in the Levant (Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon); only rice and black lentils are used, without any toppings.
Kushari is thought to be related to the Indian khichdi (sometimes called khichari), which is also made with rice and lentils, and thus by extension to the Anglo-Indian kedgeree.
[edit] External links
Kushari.org A Blog Formed By My Nickname from the Egyptian Food!
