Koshary Abou Tarek

While I was in Cairo last week I was determined to try Koshary Abou Tarek this time since we didnt get the chance to visit it on my last trip! I first came to know about it through my friend Luluscious, who visited Egypt few years back and while staying in the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo, she asked her driver to take her to the best Koshary restaurant… He suggested Abou Tarek, little she knew about it and the area, but she was up for the challenge! She told me “Its the best Koshary I have ever tried, but the restaurant is not fancy AT ALL, so I took my order to go”

I, on the other hand, wanted to live the experience and dine in. So that day, I told our driver that I wanted to have Koshary Abou Tarek, he knew it right away before I even give him directions! Its on Shampillion St

Which is close to the Canada Dry St in Industrial Shuwaikh in Kuwait, only its narrower and much more crowded

And here we are, at Koshary Abou Tarek…. I take a look from the outside *gulp*

I didnt want to backup! I was determined to go in and check the place out….

Man the place was crowded! Orders to go, orders for diners-in… it was busy busy busy, and it was more than two stories… we were guided to the second floor and managed to find a table! It was just me, my dad, and his Egyptian friend. So this is how it goes, you basically sit and ask for your Koshary which costs only EGP10 and a drink if you want (around EGP2). You pay upfront and wait for your order.

The restaurant was full of people of all ages and different nationalities. I guess its very well known that it is a must stop for Koshary lovers in Cairo! Our waiter came in and mixed the sauces in the picture above (tomato sauce, chili, vinegar, and some garlic-y stuff too) – it added a nice flavor to the dish 😉

The koshary dish was all that I imagined and better

Very tasty and highly recommended to you all whenever in Egypt! I can easily say that it is the best koshary dish that I have ever tried, keeping in mind that we had an Egyptian nanny who used to make it when we were kids, and that my Dad’s friend, who is Egyptian, fell in love with it and said it will be a MUST STOP for him every time he is in Cairo!

Oh and the nice owner of the restaurant left us a recipe on the website too (link) – nutritional facts included 😉

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked rice
2 cups cooked penne pasta
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin , divided
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 cup cooked lentils
1 can (15 ounces)  crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon  Crushed Red Pepper
3 medium yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3 cups)
2 medium onions, thinly sliced (about 2 cups), optional*

Now AbouTarek Team wish you do the next steps :

Instructions:

1. Combine rice and pasta; spoon in bottom of shallow serving platter. Keep warm

2. Whisk together vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Add cooked lentils and stir to combine. Spoon over rice and pasta.

3. Combine tomatoes, water, sugar, cinnamon, salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin and red pepper in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. Stir in squash. Spoon tomato mixure over lentil layer. Partially stir tomato mixture into other layers, but do not completely combine all layers. If desired, prepare crisp-brown onions as directed below and add as a topping.

*Cook onions in large skillet with 1 tablespoon oil over high heat, stirring frequently, until brown and slightly crispy, about 10 minutes.

Aboutarek team is keening to make all information are available for you to enjoy good health so …you have to know Nutritional Information:

Nutritional Information
Calories: 169, Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 281 mg, Carbohydrates: 34 g, Protein: 7 g