Best Alicha Misir Recipes
ALICHA MISIR
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.
Provided by Food Network
Time 25m
Yield 4 to 6 servings (about 3 cups)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
ALICHA (ETHIOPIAN STEW)
One of my distant relatives in the middle of Outback Australia married an Ethiopian woman. Good choice - the woman can cook, and well enough to be featured on a food show on national TV.
Provided by Missy Wombat
Categories Stew
Time 1h15m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook onions and garlic in oil until transparent.
- Wash and chop vegetables and add them to the onions, lightly browning.
- Add nutmeg, garlic and cardamom then cook slowly for 30 mins.
- Season to taste then add chilli, parsley and basil just before serving.
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Alicha Misir, also known as Ethiopian yellow split peas, is a tasty and nutritious dish, commonly prepared in Ethiopia. Unlike other traditional Ethiopian dishes, Alicha Misir is a unique and simpler recipe to prepare.
Ingredients
To prepare Alicha Misir, you will need a few ingredients such as yellow split peas, onions, garlic, ginger, and spices such as turmeric, cumin, and paprika. Some variations of the recipe may include carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes, depending on the method of preparation.Preparation
The preparation of Alicha Misir involves cooking the yellow split peas until they are tender, and then seasoning them with a delicious blend of spices. Here’s how to prepare Alicha Misir:Step 1: Rinse and Soak the Yellow Split Peas
The first step in preparing Alicha Misir is to rinse the yellow split peas and let them soak for at least two hours, or overnight. The soaking process softens the peas, which helps to reduce the cooking time.Step 2: Cook the Peas
After soaking, drain the water from the peas, place them in a cooking pot and add fresh water. Bring the peas to a boil, reduce the heat, and let them simmer for about 30 minutes, or until they are tender.Step 3: Prepare the Spice Mixture
As the peas are cooking, prepare the spice mixture. Heat oil in a separate pan and add chopped onions, garlic and ginger. Sauté the ingredients until the onions are translucent. Add the spices – turmeric, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper – and stir to combine.Step 4: Combine Peas and Spice Mixture
Once the peas are tender, add the spice mixture to the pot and mix well. If using vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, or tomatoes, add them at this stage.Step 5: Simmer and Serve
Simmer the peas and spices on low heat for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve hot with injera, the traditional Ethiopian flatbread.Benefits
Alicha Misir is a nutritious and healthy dish that provides numerous benefits to the body. Yellow split peas are rich in dietary fiber, protein, and several essential vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and folate. The spices used in the recipe, such as turmeric and ginger, are also known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which can help to reduce inflammation and promote overall health.Variations
Alicha Misir is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit individual preferences. Here are a few ways in which you can vary the recipe:Add Vegetables
Adding vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and tomatoes can enhance the nutritional value and flavor of Alicha Misir. Simply chop the vegetables into small pieces and add them to the cooking pot along with the peas.Use Different Spices
You can experiment with different spices to create a unique flavor profile. For instance, you can replace turmeric with cumin, or add a dash of cinnamon for a sweet and spicy flavor.Make it Vegan
Alicha Misir is already a vegan dish as it does not involve any animal products. However, you can make it even more plant-based by eliminating the oil and using water to sauté the onions, garlic, and ginger.Conclusion
Alicha Misir is a delicious and nutritious dish that can be enjoyed as a main dish or as a side dish. Whether you are a vegan or a meat-lover, this dish is a great way to add more legumes to your diet and experience the rich and diverse flavors of Ethiopian cuisine.
Alicha Misir is a popular Ethiopian dish that consists of yellow split peas cooked with a blend of spices and vegetables. It is a staple food in the Ethiopian cuisine and is often served with injera, a type of sourdough flatbread. If you are planning to make Alicha Misir at home, there are some valuable tips that you should keep in mind to ensure that your dish turns out perfect.
Tip 1: Choose the Right Split Peas
The first and most important tip when making Alicha Misir is to choose the right split peas. When selecting the yellow split peas for your recipe, make sure that they are fresh and of high quality. Old or stale split peas can take much longer to cook and may result in a mushy or tasteless dish.Suggested ways to choose the right split peas:
- Look for split peas that are uniform in size and color
- Avoid buying split peas with mold, insect damage or signs of moisture
- Choose split peas that are stored in an airtight container or packaging to prevent moisture and insect attacks
Tip 2: Soak the Split Peas
Soaking your split peas before cooking is a great way to ensure that they cook evenly and quicker. Soaking also helps to remove the naturally occurring anti-nutrients in legumes, making them more digestible and nutritious.Suggested steps to soak split peas:
- Rinse the split peas under running water to remove any dirt or debris
- Place the split peas in a large bowl and cover them with cold water
- Let the split peas soak for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator
- Drain the split peas and rinse them again before cooking
Tip 3: Use the Right Spices
The blend of spices used in Alicha Misir is what makes it unique and delicious. The key spices used in the dish are turmeric, cumin, and coriander. However, there are variations depending on the region or preference. It is important to use fresh, high-quality spices to ensure that the flavors are fresh and aromatic.Suggested spice blend for Alicha Misir:
- 1 tbsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp black pepper
Tip 4: Incorporate Vegetables
Alicha Misir is traditionally made with onions and garlic, but it can be further enhanced by incorporating additional vegetables such as carrots, potatoes or bell peppers. Adding vegetables not only adds flavor and nutrition, but it also adds texture and color to the dish.Suggested vegetables to add to Alicha Misir:
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced potatoes
- 1 cup diced bell peppers
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
Tip 5: Cook Slow and Low
Cooking Alicha Misir slowly and at low heat is essential to develop the flavors and ensure that the split peas are thoroughly cooked. Rushing the cooking process might result in undercooked split peas or burnt spices.Suggested cooking method for Alicha Misir:
- Warm a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat
- Add the diced onions and cook for 5-7 minutes until translucent
- Add garlic and cook for another minute
- Add the spice blend and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant
- Add the soaked split peas, diced vegetables and enough water or broth to cover the split peas by 2 inches
- Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer for 45-60 minutes until the split peas are tender
Tip 6: Serve Hot with Injera
Alicha Misir is best served hot with injera, a traditional Ethiopian flatbread made from teff flour. Injera is used both as a utensil and a bread in Ethiopian cuisine. To serve, place the Alicha Misir in a large serving platter and serve with a stack of injera on the side.Suggested serving method for Alicha Misir:
- Place the Alicha Misir in a large serving platter
- Serve with a stack of injera on the side
- Use the injera to scoop the Alicha Misir and enjoy!