Kushari (Egyptian Special)

Last weekend I thought of preparing a variety dish. Suddenly my Dubai days and Kushari came to my mind. Kushari was introduced to me by my friend Dina, who is from Egypt. A popular tradional dish of Egypt which is simple, healthy, tasty & also rich in protein. Sometimes we used to have this for lunch at office in Dubai. She made me craze for this. I really want my husband to try this too. Dina also gave me tips for cooking Kushari. I  would like to thank her a lot for helping me to prepare this & sharing with you all my friends.

Ingredients:
Rice (White rice)- 1 cup
Macaroni (Elbow Shaped)- 3/4 cup
Green lentils - 1/2 cup
Tomato Paste - 4 full table spoon
Garlic - 2 to 3 cloves
Onion - 2 medium (1 chopped finely, other sliced lengthwise for frying)
Red Pepper Flakes - 1 t spoon
Black Pepper - 1 t spoon (each serve)
Salt - to taste (each serve)
Olive Oil - 2 table spoon for frying onions
Olive oil - 1 table spoon

Preparation:

1. Wash & clean rice well. Cook the rice with 2cups of water. Cook the macaroni with enough water and 1 t spoon of oil & 1/2 t spoon of salt until it becomes soft & tender. Cook the lentils with enough water until it becomes soft. Cook all the three items separately in wide opened vessels. Once cooked, drain the water from each of them and keep it aside.
2. Heat a pan and add 2 table spoon of olive oil. Add sliced onions and fry it well until it turns brown & crispy. Keep it aside in a tissue paper & drain the excess oil from it.
3. Again in the same pan add 1 table spoon of olive oil & add finely chopped garlic, onions and saute well till it becomes tender.
4. Add tomato paste  to it and keep stirring with a wooden spatula.  Add red pepper flakes & salt to it. Mix well. Keep it aside. (If you prefer non spicy, don't add the pepper flakes)
5. Take a bowl & add small portion of cooked lentils, cooked rice & cooked pasta.
6. Layer a spoon full of cooked tomato paste, fried onions, Salt & pepper & serve individually.
7. You can mix it well with a fork & spoon (rice, lentils, pasta , tomato paste,fried onions  salt & pepper) & enjoy the kushari.

Tips:
Instead of macaroni, you can add spaghetti or you can use combo of macaroni & spaghetti. But you have to cook separately.
Instead of tomato paste you can blend tomatoes with little water. You can add vinegar too.

Egg Mushroom Pasta

Ingredients:
Pasta - 11/2 cup (I have taken spiral shape pasta.Each ones choice and availability)
Eggs - 2no.s
Sliced Button Mushroom - 6no.s
Onion - 1medium
Pepper Powder - 11/2 t spoon
Salt - to taste
Cheese - 2 table spoon Grated Mozzarella /Cheddar ( I have taken cheddar cheese)
Cooking oil / olive oil - 1 1/2 table spoon

Preparation:

1. Take a deep pot and add enough water. Heat over medium flame.When the water starts boiling, add 1 t spoon of oil, add pasta, salt to taste and cook for 8 to 10 mins until it turns soft.
2. When the pasta is cooked, drain the excess water from pasta and allow it to cool.
3. Meanwhile heat a pan. Beat the eggs on hot pan and stir frequently to make scrambled eggs. Keep it aside.
4. Heat the same pan and add oil, then add onions, saute it well till it turns tender. Add mushrooms, pepper powder, salt. Cook over medium flame. Once cooked add cheese to it and reduce the flame 
5. Add the cooked pastas & eggs. Mix it well.
6. Ready to serve for 4 to 6 people.
7. Healthy Protein Rich breakfast.