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Ethiopian Red Lentil Recipe (Messer Wot)

Ethiopian Red Lentil Recipe (Messer Wot)

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Course Main Dish

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups red Lentils
  • 2 red onions
  • 2 white onions
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 2 teaspoons fresh ginger
  • 1 cup Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons berbere spice (see below)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 4 cups water

For the berbere spice mix:

  • 1 cup chili powder or hot paprika
  • 1/2 Tablespoon dried clove
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cardamom
  • 1 Tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 Tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 Tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 Tablespoon cumin
  • 1/2 Tablespoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 Tablespoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 Tablespoon ground fenugreek seed
  • 1 Tablespoon pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon salt

Instructions
 

  • To make the berbere spice, sift and mix together all ingredients.
  • Puree onions, garlic, ginger in food processor.
  • In a large pan, sauté your onion, garlic, ginger in oil. Cook until softened, for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add tomato paste, 1/2 cup water, berbere spice, and salt. Cook for 15 minutes while stirring, reduce heat.
  • Rinse lentils and add to pan; stir and bring to a boil; cover and simmer the lentils, stirring occasionally for 20 minutes until the lentils are soft. Add water as needed.
  • Add salt to taste.
  • Serve with Injera (Ethiopian flatbread) or Rice.