Misir Wot is a traditional Ethiopian red lentil stew. If you order a vegetarian platter at an Ethiopian restaurant, Misir Wot will certainly be included! Red lentils are budget friendly, healthy and quick to make.
How to make Misir Wot:
Prep all the ingredients before cooking. Misir wat starts with onions that are slowly caramelized in niter kibbeh. Ethiopia’s popular and incredibly flavorful spiced clarified butter. Cook for 8-10 minutes. KEY is not to rush this process. Let onions saute until transclucent.
Add the ginger and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Then add the tomato paste, diced tomato, berbere, salt, pepper, cardamom and some water. Stir continuously for 5 minutes. You want to add enough water that it comes to a simmer.
Next, add the rinsed 1 cup of lentils and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then cover and keep it at a simmer on low for an additional 30 minutes. Check after 15 minutes to add water if it is sticking to the bottom of pan. Lentils should be soft to touch, but still a bit of texture.
How to serve Misir Wot:
Serve with Injera, rice, quinoa. Try with traditional Ethiopian veggie dishes Gomen Wat or Tikil Gomen. Perfect weeknight meal!
Spicy Ethiopian Red Lentils
Course: vegetarian, DinnerCuisine: Ethiopian, East African4
servings10
minutes40
minutesEthiopian Red Lentil stew made with warm spices. Healthy and hearty. Fiber packed and rich in plant based protein.. Vegetarian friendly!
Ingredients
1 red onion
Niter Kibbeh (spiced butter)
4 cloves of garlic
1 inch piece of ginger
2 tbs berbere
1 tbs tomato paste
1 roma tomato
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 cups of water
1/2 tsp cardamom
1 cup of red lentils (soaked and rinsed)
Directions
- Chop the onion, garlic and ginger. Sauté Niter kibbeh and onion until soft. Add the ginger and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, tomato, berbere, salt, pepper, cardamom and some water. Stir continuously for 5 minutes. You want enough water that it comes to a simmer.
- Add rinsed 1 cup of red lentils and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil then cover and keep it at a simmer on low for an additional 30 minutes. Check after 15 minutes to add water if it is sticking to the bottom of pan. Lentils should be soft to touch, but still a bit of texture.
- Serve with rice, injera or quinoa.
Notes
- Substitute Niter Kibbeh with butter or olive oil.
- Soak lentils for at least 2 hours and rinse well before adding them to pot.
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