Misir Wot, spicy red lentil stew, is a staple at the Ethiopian table. Lentils are the heart of many African dishes and amongst the country’s key exports. Situated on the horn of Africa, Ethiopia’s diverse climate is ideal for supporting a variety of agriculture and crops. Much of the country is highlands, but you’ll find tropical savannah in the west and deserts in the east.
Agriculture in Ethiopia
What grows well under these conditions? Well, a lot. Their main exports are coffee and pulses. In fact, coffee accounts for 1.1% of their GDP and is their largest source of foreign exchange. Next up, are pulses. Ethiopia exported upwards of 2.5 million metric tons of them in 2016-2017.
But I digress. Lentils, which have gained some notoriety for being plain, are anything but in this dish. Misir Wot is highly nutritious and packed with protein, folic acid, and potassium. Just one cup of cooked lentils contains 9 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber.
What makes Misir Wot really stand out? The berbere spice. It is a mostly hot blend of roasted and ground coriander seeds, cumin seeds, cardamom seeds, dried chili peppers, allspice, cloves, fenugreek, and black peppercorns. The balance may vary from house to house, but the steadfast flavor contrast is spicy, followed by sweet and citrusy.
Step by step photos to make misir wot:
- Gather all your ingredients and have them chopped, measured and ready to go.
- Melt the butter in a sauce pan on medium heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent then add the garlic, ginger, tomato paste and berbere spice
. - Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes until well combined and fragrant.
- Add the water and stir in.
- Rinse the lentils in a strainer then add to the pan. Set the temperature to low and cook for about 30 minutes until the lentils are soft. Check after 15 minutes and add more water ¼ cup at time if they are sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Add salt to taste and serve with chopped cilantro.
Additionally, Misir Wot might surprise you with the simplicity of ingredients. After the berber spice and lentils, the flavors in this dish come from onion, garlic, ginger, and tomato paste. That is it. So easy to make.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How long can I save the misir wot lentil stew? You can store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Can I freeze misir wot? Yes, you must completely cool the soup before freezing. Store in airtight containers for up to 4-6 months. For single servings, freeze portions in a muffin tin and pop out the frozen rounds and store in freezer bags.
- How do I reheat the misir wot? Reheat the lentil stew in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and stop to stir every 30-45 seconds until hot. Once reheated do not cool and store again in the refrigerator, consume it right away. So only reheat the amount you will consume.
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Misir Wot - Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp butter unsalted, optional: vegan butter
- 1 onion yellow, chopped fine
- 1 tsp ginger minced or micro-planed
- 1 tsp garlic minced
- 2 Tbsp tomato paste
- 2 Tbsp berbere spice
- 1 cup lentils red
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Chop the onion, garlic and ginger.
- Heat the butter on medium until melted and hot. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Stir frequently and do not allow to brown.
- Add the garlic, ginger, tomato paste and berbere spice. Allow to cook 2-3 minutes until well combined and fragrant. Stir continuously.
- Pour in the water and mix well.
- Rinse the lentils in a strainer to be sure they are clean and free of any debris. Add the rinsed lentils and stir in.
- Turn the heat to low and cook covered for 30 minutes until tender. Check after 15 minutes and add water ¼ cup at a time if they are dry and sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Serve with chopped cilantro.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How long can I save the misir wot lentil stew? You can store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Can I freeze misir wot? Yes, you must completely cool the soup before freezing. Store in airtight containers for up to 4-6 months. For single servings, freeze portions in a muffin tin and pop out the frozen rounds and store in freezer bags.
- How do I reheat the misir wot? Reheat the lentil stew in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and stop to stir every 30-45 seconds until hot. Once reheated do not cool and store again in the refrigerator, consume it right away. So only reheat the amount you will consume.
Ben
I'm going to be making this over the weekend. I love lentils. I just need to Instacart some of the ingredients, and then I'm golden.
Sophia
I love lentils, and this recipe looks so hearty and so easy! It's perfect for a simple weeknight dinner or meatless Mondays. Delicious!
Jenny Graves
We love making lentils and other pulses in our home and always looking for new recipes. This recipe did not disappoint. Thank you so much for sharing!
Jacqui DeBono
I have ordered some berbere spice. I think I have had this dish before and it is delicious! I love learning about history too, thank you for sharing!
Analida
Thanks so much Jacqui! Enjoy!
Colleen
I had misir wot once at a food festival and have never forgotten it. Now I have a recipe and I'm so excited. Thank you for sharing!
Pam Greer
We eat a lot of lentils at our house, it is our go to meatless ingredient. The spices in this really make it extra delicious!
Analida
Thanks Pam! I am glad you enjoyed the dish!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen
This Misir Wot - Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew looks so deliciously good. I wish I could eat that right this minute!
Anna
Perfect timing, I was just looking for a recipe that uses lentils. I found a whole pack of them in my kitchen cupboard and wasn't sure what to make with them. This will be a perfect way of using them!
Karen
This combination of spices and lentils is so delicious!
Paula Montenegro
This recipe takes lentils to another level! So much flavor! Don't know much about Ethiopian food, but would love a plate of this stew!
Tanya
Lentils, in my opinion, are an underappreciated legume. I love the spices in this recipe - I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum, this lentil stew looks so good! I am a huge fan of lentils and have been cooking it a lot these days, so this recipe is right up my alley. I am looking forward to trying this soon!
Eden
Loved this recipe! Perfect amount of flavor, AND I got to use my new berbere spice from a subscription of mine. Yum!
Debbie
What a delicious hearty stew! This is full of so much flavor , this is going on my regular dinner rotation . Thanks for such a wonderful recipe!
Analida
Thanks Debbie! I am so glad you enjoyed the dish.