Egyptian Fried Rice Recipes

EGYPTIAN KOSHARY

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in rice; continue stirring until rice is coated with oil, about 3 minutes. Add 3 cups water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Stir in the macaroni, and return to a boil. Cook the macaroni uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the it has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain well in a colander. Return macaroni to cooking pot, cover and keep warm.
• Soak lentils for 30 minutes. Drain and rinse; drain again. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a pot and stir in lentils. Bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until lentils are tender 15 or 20 minutes. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onions in the oil, stirring often, until they begin to brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Onions should be a nice caramelized brown color. Add garlic and cook another minute. Remove from pan, drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Place half of the onion mixture into a saucepan. Mix in the vinegar. Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste, black pepper, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, cumin, and cayenne (if using). Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer about 12 minutes.
• Serve by placing a spoonful of rice, then macaroni, and then the lentils on serving plates. Sprinkle with some of the browned onions, then top with tomato sauce.

THE PERFECT EGYPTIAN RICE WITH VERMICELLI

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add vermicelli; cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Pour in rice and salt; stir until coated with oil.
• Reduce heat to low. Cook the rice mixture, stirring constantly, until rice turns pasty white, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
• Stir water into the rice mixture. Cover; cook until most of the water is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. Turn off heat; let sit until remaining water is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Fluff rice with a fork.

EGYPTIAN FRIED RICE

Steps:

• Rinse the rice under running water thoroughly and set aside in a colander to drain.
• Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan. When the oil is hot, add the rice and fry it until each grain is coated with oil.
• Add the water and salt to taste and stir.
• Cook, uncovered, over moderate heat until the water is absorbed.
• Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 30 minutes more.
• Spoon the top layer of rice into a bowl.
• Remove the browned layer with a spatula, break into pieces and serve alongside the rice.

EGYPTIAN RICE COOKED IN A CLAY BRAM

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 385 degrees F.
• Whisk together the milk, salt and egg yolks. Combine the rice and milk mixture in a medium clay bram or 4-quart Dutch oven.
• Distribute the butter in thin shavings over the surface. Place the bram on a baking sheet as a safeguard from spills. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until a rich, golden brown crust has formed on the top and perimeter of the rice, about 1 hour more. Most of the milk should have been absorbed. Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.