Instant Pot Misir Wot / Red Lentil Curry (Habeshe Dan's Top Recipes)

berbere spice

🥗Healthier: cayenne pepper + paprika

💰Cheaper: chili powder

Cayenne and paprika mimic the heat and flavor of berbere.

red lentils

🥗Healthier: green lentils

💰Cheaper: brown lentils

Green lentils offer a similar texture with more nutrients.

vegetable oil

🥗Healthier: olive oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Olive oil adds flavor with healthy fats.

injera

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flatbread

💰Cheaper: pita bread

Whole wheat flatbread is a nutritious alternative.

Welcome to the kitchen, today we're cooking misir wot, a spicy Ethiopian red lentil dish.

Start by rinsing 1 cup of red lentils under running water for at least one minute, removing any debris.

Finely dice 1 medium white onion.

Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode and add about 2 tablespoons of oil.

Add the diced onions to the Instant Pot and sprinkle in some salt, adjusting based on the saltiness of the berbere.

Sauté the onions until they are nicely caramelized, taking your time with this step.

Once the onions are browned, add in 2 tablespoons of berbere spice and stir quickly to avoid burning.

Toast the lentils in the pot with the onions and berbere for a moment to enhance the flavor.

Add 3 cups of water to the pot, maintaining the ratio of 1 cup of lentils to 3 cups of water.

Mix everything together well in the Instant Pot, ensuring no lentils are stuck to the sides.

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and set the valve.

Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes for a well-mixed dish, or 7 minutes for crunchier onions.

After cooking, perform a quick release of the pressure.

Serve the misir wot in a bowl, using pita bread as a substitute for traditional injera.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary