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Hearty Ethiopian Lentil Stew Misir Wot One-Pot Recipe Easy and Delicious

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A hearty and soulful Ethiopian lentil stew made with red lentils and berbere spice, perfect for cozy dinners and easy one-pot cooking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (200g) red lentils, rinsed well
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons berbere spice blend
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 cups (720ml) vegetable broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced butter)
  • Salt, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse the lentils under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch. (5 minutes)
  2. Heat olive oil or niter kibbeh in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 6-8 minutes. Stir occasionally. (8 minutes)
  3. Add minced garlic and grated ginger, cooking until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. (2 minutes)
  4. Sprinkle in berbere spice blend and stir constantly for about 1 minute to toast the spices gently. (1 minute)
  5. Add tomato paste and stir until well combined and slightly darkened. (2 minutes)
  6. Add rinsed lentils and vegetable broth or water. Stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pot. (2 minutes)
  7. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until lentils are tender but not mushy and stew thickens. (30 minutes)
  8. Taste and add salt as needed. If too thick, add a splash of water or broth. Stir in lemon juice if using. (2 minutes)
  9. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro or parsley and serve hot with injera bread or steamed rice. (1 minute)

Notes

Toast the berbere spice briefly before adding liquids to unlock deep flavors. Stir often during simmering to avoid lentils sticking or becoming mushy. Adjust spice level by varying berbere amount. Leftovers taste better the next day. Can be made in a slow cooker by sautéing aromatics first then cooking on low for 4-5 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: Ethiopian lentil stew, Misir Wot, berbere spice, one-pot recipe, vegan stew, gluten-free, red lentils, easy dinner

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/hearty-ethiopian-lentil-stew-misir-wot-one-pot-recipe-easy-and-delicious/