Koshari

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Combine the onion and garlic cloves for the tomato sauce in a blender with a splash of water and whizz to a paste

2. Step 2

   Place a saucepan over a medium heat and, when hot, add a dash of olive oil. Add the onion and garlic mixture to the pan and cook, stirring, for around 5 minutes

3. Step 3

   Add the tomato purée and cook out for a minute or two, stirring. Add the tinned tomatoes to the pan with the sugar, and some salt and pepper. Bring the sauce to a simmer, put a lid on the pan and cook for at least 30 minutes. Taste, and adjust the seasoning if needed

4. Step 4

   For the kamouneyah, heat a small frying pan over medium-low and add 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the grated garlic and ground cumin. Cook gently for a minute or so, taking care not to burn the garlic

5. Step 5

   Add the vinegar and water and season with salt. Bring to a simmer, then set aside

6. Step 6

   Make the crispy onions. Add vegetable oil to a high-sided frying pan to a depth of 0.5cm. Toss the onion rings in flour then cook in the oil until golden, working in batches to avoid crowding the pan. Drain on kitchen paper

7. Step 7

   Place the rice in a saucepan and cover with cold water and a pinch of salt - you can measure the correct amount of water by placing your thumb on top of the rice - the water should reach your cuticle. Bring to a boil then reduce to a very gentle simmer. Put the lid on and cook the rice for 10 minutes, then turn off the heat but leave the pan covered

8. Step 8

   Cook the vermicelli in boiling, salted water according to packet instructions. Once cooked, drain and add a little oil to the pasta to stop it sticking together

9. Step 9

   Warm the chickpeas and lentils through in separate saucepans

10. Step 10

    To assemble the dish, cover a large serving plate with the rice and top with the lentils and chickpeas, then the vermicelli. Spoon over the tomato sauce and drizzle the kamouneyah over the whole thing. Top with crispy onions to serve