Ethiopian
Ethiopian Misir Wat (Spiced Red Lentils)
The beloved Ethiopian red lentil stew spiced with berbere and layered with niter kibbeh (spiced butter). Served on injera, eaten with you...
⏱ Prep 10 min 🍳 Cook 35 min 👥 Serves 4 Easy
Ingredients
Spices & Herbs
♦3 tbsp WOS Berbere Ethiopian Blend
♦3 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter) or regular butter
♦1 tbsp tomato paste
♦Salt to taste
Other
♦2 cups red lentils (rinsed)
♦1 large onion (finely diced)
♦4 garlic cloves (minced)
♦1 inch ginger (grated)
♦4 cups water or vegetable broth
♦Injera or flatbread for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
1
Heat niter kibbeh or butter in a large pot over medium. Add onion and cook slowly, 15 min, until deeply golden.
2
Add garlic and ginger. Cook 2 min.
3
Add berbere blend. Toast in the butter 2-3 min — the spices will bloom and smell extraordinary.
4
Add tomato paste. Stir and cook 2 min.
5
Add lentils and broth. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer.
6
Cook 20-25 min, stirring often, until lentils are completely soft and stew is thick.
7
Season with salt. The stew should be thick enough to mound on injera.
8
Serve on injera with a side of fresh salad and yogurt.
Flavor Education
Understanding what each spice contributes is the difference between following a recipe and truly cooking.
Salt
Enhances and balances all other flavors in the dish
Salt doesn't just make food salty — it suppresses bitterness and amplifies sweetness and savoriness.
Black Pepper
Mild warmth and aromatic pungency
Freshly cracked pepper is dramatically more aromatic than pre-ground. The difference is noticeable.
Cooking Tips by Skill Level
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Season lightly first — you can always add more, but you can't take it away. Taste at every step and trust your palate.
Build your flavor in layers: bloom your dry spices in oil for 30 seconds before adding liquids to unlock their full depth.
Finish with a hit of acid (lime, lemon, or vinegar) right before serving to brighten and balance the entire dish.
🧂 Spices for This Recipe
These seasonings help you achieve the authentic flavor profile of this dish.
Berbere Ethiopian Blend
In Stock
$12.49
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All Purpose Seasoning
In Stock
$8.99
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Suya Pepper Blend
In Stock
$11.99
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Ras el Hanout Moroccan Blend
In Stock
$13.99
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