Ethiopian Berbere Lentils with Steamed Quinoa

Red lentils gently simmered with warming spices, carrots, and diced tomatoes, served over fluffy quinoa alongside steamed green beans.

• Prep: 15 min
• Cook: 30 min
• Total: 45 min
• Servings: 6
• Cuisine: Ethiopian
• Difficulty: Medium

Dietary

• Vegetarian
• Vegan
• Gluten-Free
• Dairy-Free
• Nut-Free
• Soy-Free
• Egg-Free
• Pescatarian
• Low-Sodium
• Low-Fat
• Low-Saturated-Fat
• Low-Cholesterol
• Low-Sugar
• High-Fiber
• Halal
• Kosher
• Low-Calorie

Tags

• one-pot
• healthy
• comfort food
• rich
• spicy

Ingredients

• 1.5 cup red lentils (rinsed)
• 1.5 cup quinoa (rinsed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (extra virgin)
• 1 tablespoon ginger (minced)
• 2 carrots (diced)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (no salt added)
• 1 tablespoon berbere spice blend (salt-free)
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound green beans (trimmed)
• 2 tablespoon fresh cilantro (chopped)

Instructions

1. Combine rinsed quinoa with 3 cups of water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
2. In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced ginger and diced carrots, sautéing for 4 minutes until fragrant.
3. Stir in the berbere spice blend, ground cardamom, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, cooking for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
4. Add the rinsed red lentils, canned diced tomatoes with their juices, and 3 cups of water. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until lentils are tender and creamy.
5. While lentils simmer, place trimmed green beans in a steamer basket over boiling water for 6 minutes until crisp-tender and bright green. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.
6. Ladle the spiced lentils over the quinoa, serve alongside the steamed green beans, and garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Notes

Red lentils cook down quickly into a comforting, naturally creamy stew. Berbere spice provides deep, complex flavor without added sodium.

Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 360
• Protein: 19.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 61 g
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Fiber: 14 g
• Sodium: 230 mg
• Saturated Fat: 0.6 g
• Sugar: 4.2 g