How to Make Koshary: Egypt's Favorite Street Food
If you ever visit the bustling streets of Cairo, Egypt, you will likely hear the clattering of metal spoons against metal bowls. This lively sound comes from street vendors preparing Koshary, Egypt's beloved national dish. Koshary is a unique comfort food that mixes ingredients from different parts of the world, including Italian pasta, Indian lentils, and Egyptian spices.
While it has many steps, making Koshary at home is a fun and rewarding cooking project. Follow these steps to create your own delicious bowl of Egyptian history.
Ingredients You Will Need:
- 1 cup brown lentils (rinsed)
- 1 cup medium-grain white rice
- 1 cup elbow macaroni or ditalini pasta
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Ward:
- The Arabic word for 'flowers', used in Egypt to describe the crispy fried onion topping on Koshary.
- Simmer:
- To cook food gently in liquid that is kept just below the boiling point.
- Sauté:
- To cook or brown food quickly in a small amount of hot oil or fat.
- Slotted spoon:
- A large spoon with holes or slots that lets liquid drain through while holding the solid food.
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- 1According to the passage, what sound is commonly heard from street vendors on the busy streets of Cairo?
- 2Which three global cultures or regions contributed ingredients to Koshary?
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About this how-to / procedural passage for Upper Elementary
“How to Make Koshary: Egypt's Favorite Street Food” is a how-to / procedural reading passage about Egyptian cuisine and cooking procedures, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 4 minutes to read (552 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.