Can I use can crushed tomatos sauce for Egyptian Koushari?

Question

I do not have any raw tomatos on hand to make the sauce for Koushari (will be my first time to make). Is it okay to use a can of crushed tomatos instead? Also, the condiments that accompany koushari...the vinegar and hot/spicy sauce..does anyone have a recipe for those? Thank you to all that answer!

Answer 1

I use them and 2 types of lentils, the brown or Greek ones and some red ones for a thickening texture in the sauce, I make my own hot pepper vinegar also, as for the pasta, I like orzo, with the rice they have a similar shape and I cook it with the rice in a rice cooker.

The vinegar can be made by heating some white vinegar and adding some paprika and chili pepper flakes and letting them sit, as for the sauce, I use a bit of Harissa a Moroccan chili paste, but in a pinch chinese chili garlic sauce with a bit of cumin and olive oil mixed in will do.