The most famous dish in Egypt and where its origins from

Most Egyptians love eating koshary , but did you know that koshary doesn't originate from Egypt? There is more to know about koshary than you think it has a wide history behind it .

Koshari is a National vegetarian dish consisting of a mix of pasta-tomato sauce-lentils-rice-onion and chickpeas, was created in the mid-19th century. 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 favourite among Egyptians.

It is not genuinely Egyptian in origin, despite being Egypt's national food. Both rice and macaroni are not native to Egypt. Koshari is thought to have its roots in India and dates to the era of British colonisation.

Actually, the word "Koshari" is derived from the Hindu word "khichri," which designates a rice and lentil dish. This dish was cheap and filling, and it was brought to Egypt by the British when they arrived in the late 1800s. It didn't take long for the Egyptian populace to warmly accept the meal.

The crowning aspect of this dish is the flavour-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 flavour to sauces, soups, stews and meat.

In 1853, in his book "Journey to Egypt and the Hijaz", explorer Richard Burton documented koshary as the breakfast meal of the people of Suez. Egyptian lentils, rice, butter, onions, and pickled lemons made up the meal. Initially offered on food carts, koshary was later made available at dining establishments.

This dish is incredibly well-liked by labourers and workers, and it is perfect for large-scale catering events like conferences. It can be made at home and is available all over Egypt at roadside stands and dining establishments; some focus solely on koshary, while others offer it as one of many options.Koshary can be categorised as vegan because it is traditionally cooked without the use of any animal products, as long as all frying is done in vegetable oil.

Koshary is a great supper for athletes because it is heavy in protein and carbs. Additionally, it contains lentils, which are excellent sources of fibre, and tomato sauce, which is high in vitamin C and makes koshary the ideal food to have on the run or after working out.

Koshary is a well-balanced vegan supper that provides your body with all the nutrition it needs. Excellent source of pure protein, ideal for a supper after exercise. One serving plate of koshary has 758 calories.