Taste of Ganna
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Recipe courtesy of Woinee Mariam

Alicha Misir

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 25 min
  • Active: 25 min
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings (about 3 cups)
Alicha misir is a delicious red lentil dish prepared with turmeric that can be served warm or at room temperature. It's served during fasting seasons, such as the lead-up to Ethiopian Orthodox Christmas, when observers follow a strict vegan diet and have only one meal a day. The lentils can also complement any meat dish other times of the year.

Ingredients

Lentils:

Tomato Salad:

Directions

  1. For the lentils: Start with warming the oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic, ginger and turmeric and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually add 2 cups of the hot water and bring it to a boil. Add the lentils and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally and adding the remaining hot water as needed, until the lentils are thickened and can be broken with a spoon, 7 to 10 minutes. Add the jalapeño, cover and simmer for 2 minutes and let it settle. Add more salt, to taste.
  2. For the tomato salad: Stir to combine the olive oil, tomatoes, jalapeno, lime juice and onion in a medium bowl. Season with salt and add additional olive oil if needed.
  3. Serve the alicha misir over a flat piece of injera with the tomato salad and rolled, sliced injera on the side. It also can be served spooned over rice.