This recipe for messer wot, or spiced red lentils, comes to The Nosher from Tsion Cafe in Harlem. Read more about Tsion Cafe and its Ethiopian-Israel owner Beejhy Barhany.Â
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Messer Wot
A hearty vegan main dish full of flavor.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6
Ingredients
Units
- 2 cups red lentils
- 2 red onions
- 2 white onions
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 2 tsp fresh ginger
- 1 cup oil
- 2 Tbsp berbere spice mix (see below)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste
- 4 cups water
For the berbere spice mix:
- 1 cup chili powder or hot paprika
- ½ Tbsp dried clove
- 1 Tbsp ground cardamom
- 1 Tbsp ground ginger
- 1 Tbsp onion powder
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander
- 1 Tbsp cumin
- ½ Tbsp cinnamon
- ½ Tbsp nutmeg
- ½ Tbsp ground fenugreek seed
- 1 Tbsp pepper
- 1 Tbsp salt
Instructions
- To make the berbere spice, sift and mix together all ingredients.
- Puree onions, garlic and ginger in a food processor.
- In a large pan sauté your onion, garlic and ginger in oil. Cook until softened, for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add tomato paste, ½ 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.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Entree
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Ethiopian
Do you really mean a cup of chili powder?
Hi Janet, it does. But note that the recipe only calls for 2 Tbsp of the blend; the rest you can store in an airtight container and use in other dishes.
Do you really mean a cup of chili powder or hot paprika?
Yes, but note that you only use 2 Tbsp in the recipe itself.
Wow. Can’t wait to try this…love lentils x
Is this recipe really using one cup of oil or is this a misprint?
It uses a cup. You could reduce the amount to 1/2 cup, but you would need to keep a close eye on the aromatics as they cook.
Do you really mean a whole CUP of chili powder? I’m thinking it’s a typo! But what do I know! Thanks.
Hi Jolie, yes, it’s a cup! This mix is spicy, but you only use 2 Tbsp of it in the recipe. The rest can be stored in an airtight container for other dishes.
My mom made the best kichels, and babkas. I totally forgot about them, thanks a million for reminding me!
Why is there a full cup of oil mentioned but only enough to sautee used? Where do you use the balance of the oil?
You use the cup of oil to sauté.