Azifa (Ethiopian Green Lentil Salad)
Local name: አዚፋ
In short: A cold salad of tender green lentils, red onion, jalapeño, mustard and lemon, an easy Ethiopian fasting-day dish that keeps well. It takes about 40 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 195 kcal
Azifa is a cold lentil salad with a sharp, lemony kick, made from whole lentils, red onion, green chili and mustard. It is a fasting-day favorite in Ethiopia, served on a piece of injera or alongside other vegetable dishes. The lentils are cooked just until tender so they hold their shape, then tossed in a bright dressing. It keeps well and is an easy dish to make ahead for picnics and lunch boxes.
Instructions
- Put the lentils and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender but still holding their shape. Do not salt the water.
- Drain the lentils well and spread them on a tray to cool completely, about 15 minutes.
- Whisk the lemon juice, mustard, oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Add the cooled lentils, onion and jalapeño and toss to coat.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes. Taste and add more lemon juice or salt, then serve cold on injera or lettuce leaves.
Tips
- Cook the lentils just until tender. Mushy lentils turn the salad into a paste, so start checking at 18 minutes.
- Azifa keeps for 4 days in the fridge. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice before serving, because the lentils soak up the dressing.
Questions and answers
Is azifa served cold?
Yes, chilled or at room temperature. It is a popular fasting-day dish and goes well on a mixed injera platter.
Can I use canned lentils?
Yes. Use 2 cans (400 g / 14 oz each), drained and rinsed, and skip the cooking steps.
How spicy is azifa?
The jalapeño provides the heat. Remove the seeds for a mild salad, or add another chili if you want more kick.
How long does it take to make Azifa (Ethiopian Green Lentil Salad)?
About 40 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Azifa (Ethiopian Green Lentil Salad)?
About 195 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 27 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 195 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 27 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 11 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
