Name: Messer Wot (Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 1 cup hot paprika or chili powder; ½ tablespoon ground cloves; 1 tablespoon ground cardamom; 1 tablespoon ginger powder; 1 tablespoon onion powder; 1 tablespoon ground coriander; 1 tablespoon ground cumin; ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon; ½ tablespoon ground nutmeg; ½ tablespoon ground fenugreek seeds; 1 tablespoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon kosher salt; 2 red onions (peeled and quartered); 2 yellow onions (peeled and quartered); 6 cloves of garlic (peeled); 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped; ½ cup neutral oil like grapeseed or vegetable oil; 1 6-ounce can tomato paste; 5 cups water (divided); 2 tablespoons berbere spice mix; 1½ teaspoons Kosher salt; 2 cups red lentils (rinsed and drained)

Messer Wot (Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew)

Credit: Tsion Cafe

This Ethiopian vegan red lentil stew is a flavorful dish consisting of onions, garlic, ginger, tomato paste, red lentils and the Ethiopian spice mix berbere. You can buy the spice blend in some specialty markets or make a big batch with the ingredients below. Store the leftover berbere spice mix in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Messer Wot (Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew)

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

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Servings

Ingredients

1 cup hot paprika or chili powder
½ tablespoon ground cloves
1 tablespoon ground cardamom
1 tablespoon ginger powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon ground cumin
½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ tablespoon ground nutmeg
½ tablespoon ground fenugreek seeds
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2 red onions peeled and quartered
2 yellow onions peeled and quartered
6 cloves of garlic peeled
1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
½ cup neutral oil like grapeseed or vegetable oil
1 6-ounce can tomato paste
5 cups water divided
2 tablespoons berbere spice mix
1½ teaspoons Kosher salt
2 cups red lentils rinsed and drained

Instructions

Make the berbere spice mix: Sift all the spices into a bowl and mix well. Set aside.
Place the red and yellow onions, garlic, and ginger into a food processor. Process for about 3 to 5 minutes until combined into a fine paste.
Place a medium pot over medium heat and add the oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onion, garlic, and ginger paste and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 10 to 15 minutes or until the mixture has softened, reduced, and become light brown.
Reduce the heat to medium low and add the tomato paste, 1 cup of water, berbere spice, and salt. Cook for 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the tomato paste starts to darken.
Add the lentils and 4 more cups of water into the pot. Stir well and increase the heat to high, bring the pot to a boil, stirring occasionally. Then, place a lid on the pot and reduce the heat to low. Continue cooking the stew on a gentle simmer, for about 35 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and cooked through.
Serve the stew hot with a side of dabo.