Egyptian Lentils Rice & Pasta Recipe

This kitchen-sink of a vegetarian dish was most likely invented in egypt in the mid-1800s when cairo was a major multicultural trade port, which could explain the similarities to italian spaghetti as well as the indian rice-and-lentil comfort food khichdi. Three toppings--a spicy tomato sauce (shatta), crispy onions and a garlicky vinegar (dakka)--are added to the koshari before serving, but in cairo most people like them in separate bowls so they can season their bites one at a time. (recipe adapted from zooba restaurant. ).