Equipment
Ingredients
Aromatics Base
- 300 g red onion, finely minced
- 45 ml neutral vegetable oil
- 15 g garlic, minced
- 15 g ginger, minced
Spices and Pulses
- 20 g berbere spice blend
- 30 g tomato paste
- 200 g red lentils, dry
- 700 ml water
- 5 g salt
Serving
- 4 injera
Nutrition (per serving)
Method
Place the dry red lentils in a mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear. Set aside to drain.
Place the finely minced red onions in a dry heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Cook without any oil for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, to sweat out their moisture.
Add the neutral vegetable oil to the pot with the onions. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until deeply caramelized and jammy.
Stir in the minced garlic and ginger. Cook for 2 minutes until aromatic.
Add the berbere spice blend and tomato paste. Stir continuously for 3 minutes to toast the spices and bloom their natural oils while removing the raw flavor of the tomato paste.
Add the drained red lentils and water to the pot. Stir well, using the wooden spoon to scrape the bottom to release any caramelized bits. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce the heat to low, partially cover the pot, and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes to prevent the lentils from sticking. Cook until the lentils lose their shape and break down into a creamy sauce. Stir in the salt.
Remove from heat and let the stew rest for 5 minutes. Serve warm alongside fresh injera for scooping.
Chef's Notes
- For the most authentic flavor and texture, take your time cooking the onions. Traditional Ethiopian cooking relies on breaking the onions down completely to form the thickening base of the wot.
- Berbere varies wildly in heat depending on the specific blend. Start with a smaller amount if you are sensitive to spice, and add more during the final simmer if needed.
- Rinsing the red lentils is critical. It removes excess starch that can cause the stew to become unpleasantly gummy rather than creamy.
- While this recipe uses neutral oil to keep it strictly vegan, traditional non-fasting versions often use niter kibbeh, a spiced clarified butter, which adds an incredible layer of complex flavor.
Storage
Refrigerator: 5 days — Flavors deepen significantly after a day in the fridge. The stew will thicken upon cooling.
Freezer: 3 months — Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, adding water to loosen.
Reheating: Warm in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently and adding water a tablespoon at a time to reach the desired consistency.
