Yetsom Wat

About This Recipe

Yetsom Wat (fasting stew) is Ethiopia's most important vegan stew, eaten during Orthodox Christian fasting periods when no animal products are consumed. Lentils and vegetables are cooked in a rich, spiced broth until tender and deeply flavored. It's comforting, nourishing, and represents the depth of Ethiopian vegetarian cooking.

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 2 cupsred lentils
• 1/4 cupoil
• 2 largeonions, diced
• 4 clovesgarlic, minced
• 1 tbspfresh ginger, grated
• 2 tspberbere spice
• 1 tspturmeric
• 1 tspsalt
• 4 cupswater
• 2 mediumtomatoes, diced

Instructions

1. 1

   Sauté aromatics

   Heat oil. Add onions and cook until golden, 10 minutes. Add garlic and ginger.

2. 2

   Add spices

   Add berbere and turmeric. Cook 1 minute.

3. 3

   Add lentils

   Add lentils and water. Bring to boil.

4. 4

   Simmer

   Reduce heat and simmer 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes in the last 10 minutes.

5. 5

   Serve

   Season with salt. Serve on injera.

Variations

• •

  Add squash or sweet potato.

• •

  Use green lentils for more texture.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions