Misir Wat (Ethiopian Spicy Red Lentil Stew)
Local name: ምስር ወጥ
In short: Split red lentils simmered with slow-cooked onions, garlic, ginger and berbere into a thick, spicy vegan stew served on injera. It takes about 1 h 10 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 55 min
- Total
- 1 h 10 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 300 kcal
Misir wat is the red lentil stew that anchors the Ethiopian fasting table. Onions are cooked down slowly, then fried with garlic, ginger and berbere before the lentils go in and cook until soft. It is spicy, rich and deeply savory without any meat or dairy. Served on injera beside greens and other vegetable dishes, it appears on fasting days and in everyday family meals.
Instructions
- Put the onions in a heavy pot over medium heat with no oil. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring, adding a splash of water if they stick, until soft and reduced.
- Add the oil, garlic and ginger and cook for 5 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Stir in the berbere and tomato paste and cook for 5 minutes, adding a splash of water as needed, until the mixture is dark red and the oil separates.
- Add the lentils and the water. Bring to a boil, skim off any foam, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring often, until the lentils collapse into a thick, soft stew.
- Add a little hot water if the stew is too thick. Season with the salt and simmer for 5 more minutes.
- Serve hot with injera and other vegetable dishes.
Tips
- Use split red lentils, which melt into the sauce. Brown or green lentils stay whole and give a different texture.
- For a milder stew, use 1 tablespoon of berbere and 2 tablespoons of sweet paprika. The stew thickens as it cools, so loosen it with water when reheating.
Questions and answers
Is misir wat vegan?
Yes. It is cooked with vegetable oil, as it traditionally is on fasting days, so it contains no meat, dairy or butter.
How spicy is misir wat?
Medium to hot, depending on your berbere. Brands and home blends vary a lot, so start with less and add more at the end.
Can I freeze misir wat?
Yes, for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight and loosen with a splash of water as you reheat.
How long does it take to make Misir Wat (Ethiopian Spicy Red Lentil Stew)?
About 1 h 10 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 55 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Misir Wat (Ethiopian Spicy Red Lentil Stew)?
About 300 kcal per serving, with 13 g of protein, 39 g of carbohydrates and 10 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 300 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 13 g |
| Carbohydrates | 39 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fiber | 8 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 480 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
