Ethiopian Lentils With Berebere Spice Mix

Ingredients

• 1 lb lentils
• 6 cups water or vegetable broth
• 6 cups mild green chilies, roasted peeled, seeded and chopped* (See note)
• 2 red onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced (or more)
• fresh ground black pepper

BEREBERE SPICE MIX (use 2 tablespoons)

• 2 teaspoons cumin seeds or powdered cumin
• 1 teaspoon cardamom seed (shell off husks) or cardamom powder
• 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice (or ground)
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds (or powder)
• 1 teaspoon coriander seed (or powder)
• 8 whole cloves or ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns or freshly ground peppercorn
• 5 teaspoons red pepper flakes or crumbled dried red peppers
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh gingerroot (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sweet paprika (can use hot)
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. 1

   LENTILS:.

2. 2

   Bring lentils and broth to boil and simmer 10 minutes.

3. 3

   Add chiles, onion, garlic, and Berebere spices. Cook covered for another 30 minutes, until most of liquid is absorbed.

4. 4

   Serve with ground black pepper to taste.

5. 5

   For a vegetarian meal, these lentils are good with a dollop of yogurt, brown rice and sliced tomatoes.

6. 6

   BEREBERE SPICE MIX:.

7. 7

   Toast all the seeds and whole cloves in a small frying pan for 2 minutes, stirring constantly (open window or turn on the stove vent--it can smoke). Grind the spices in a spice grinder. If you are using pre-ground spices, ignore and go on to the next step.

8. 8

   Mix all remaining ingredients. Place in a tightly covered container and refrigerate. This mixture can used with many combinations of legumes, rice or vegetables.

9. 9

   NOTE: *OR: 1 bell pepper chopped + 14-oz can chopped green chiles.

10. 10

    NOTE TWO : There are two ways to make this berebere spice mix - with whole spices that you grind, or with powdered versions of the spices. The first way gives you a more powerful flavor, but it may be more practical the second way, particularly if you don't have a spice grinder.

11. 11

    Yield: 6 to 10 servings.