Why Basbousa deserves more attention

Basbousa rarely gets the international recognition it deserves. The earthy and warming complexity is genuine, not simple, and the technique involved in using lentils correctly takes real skill.

Egyptian cuisine is one of the oldest recorded food cultures, with accounts dating to pharaonic times. I encountered it first in a Cairo street stall at lunchtime and that context helped me understand it properly. karkadeh hibiscus tea is the natural accompaniment and the combination makes the case for the dish. If you haven't explored this cuisine seriously, Basbousa is the dish to start with.