Spicy Berbere Lentil Chili
This post may include Amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’m proud to collaborate with more than 30 Black recipe developers as we celebrate Black History Month 2022. This Virtual Potluck explores Black food through the lens of Afrofuturism. Our collaboration of recipes explores the intersection of the Black diaspora via culture, future, geopolitics, imagination, liberation, culture, and technology.
Cook and share the inspiring recipes by checking out the list of participants below. Follow each participant and continue the discussion with us on social media using the hashtag #BHMVP2022!
Afrofuturism to me represents the familiarity of the past while embracing the future. Shaping and reimagining what Sunday dinner looks like, or cookies and milk for dessert, or in this case, a classic comfort stew. How we embrace creature comforts from our childhood while exploring foods from our ancestral lineage.
Winter in the Washington DC area usually runs from December through early April. I have seen the weather get down into the single digits. When that chill hits the air all I want is comfort food. Comfort food can mean something different to everyone. For me, comfort is anything that leaves me feeling satiated, like cheesy potatoes, savory meaty, and sugary sweets. Hearty dishes like soups and stews are at the top of my list to stay warm during the winter season.
We usually enjoy an extra meaty chili every winter, while we cuddle up with our favorite adult beverage. If there is a Hot Toddy on the menu in winter, it’s a good day. This year we are nixing the meat in favor of incorporating more plant-based ingredients into some of the dishes we keep in rotation. Instead of meats I thought why not beans. Beans can be very filling, nutritious, and taste just as hearty as meat.
What is Chili?
Chili, sometimes referred to as chili con carne, originates in Mexico and was brought into the United States through Mexico. Chili is a stew of meat, tomatoes, and beans seasoned with chili powder. There is often debate about whether or not chili should include beans. I like a chunky chili so I prefer beans in my chili. Tomatoes are another debated ingredient, with some people opting for tomato sauce in place of stewed or diced tomatoes.
Why Lentils?
Traditionally when beans are used in a chili they are kidney beans, and in recent years white chili, using white beans, has become a popular alternative to tomato-based chili. When I thought about all of the vegetarian dishes I enjoy many of them are Ethiopian. My favorite Ethiopian dish has to be Gomen, a collard green-based dish made with niter kibbeh, which is an Ethiopian spiced clarified butter infused with herbs and spices. But for my vegetarian chili I knew I wanted to enhance the dish with beans, and lentils are a meaty replacement. Lentils can be a good source of protein and fiber. Inspired by Ethiopian Misir Wot, a spicy red lentil dish, I decided to add a spicy twist to our seasonal chili.
What is Berbere?
In an effort to eat more sustainably, and boost their immune systems, many people are leaning into more plant-based dishes, including my family. To modify my recipe, in addition to the traditional chili powder and kidney beans used in this classic dish, I fold in red lentils and berbere for spice. Berbere is an Ethiopian staple, a spice blend that usually includes chili peppers. The spice can also be a blend of cumin, ginger, paprika, cardamom, and many other spices. Berbere actually means “hot” in Amharic, one of the main languages spoken in Ethiopia.
What is the story?
The berbere spice gives the stew a spicy, rich mouthfeel. In place of the standard toppings, like sour cream and cheese, I sprinkle on spiced groundnuts for crunch and texture. Groundnuts, I used peanuts, are a staple across many African countries for soups and stews. Over crackers, I choose sweet plantains and savory injera crisps to compliment our bowl of chili.
This recipe will feel like the comforts of tradition while embracing change. As the African Diaspora seeks out alternatives to processed food, more sustainable food options, and connections to their roots, plant-based foods will be one of the main ingredients to act as a link toward building that relationship to the continent.
The Eat the Culture Black History Month collaboration is an opportunity for Black creatives in the food and beverage space to support each other in our efforts to uplift our culture. Be sure to comment below, pin, and share this recipe with your friends and family. Also don’t forget to take a look at some of my friends’ great recipes below:
Fonio Bundt Cake with Hibiscus Glaze by A Classic Twist
Collard Green Hand Pies by A Girl Called Adri
Sweet Potato Wedges with Peanut Dipping Sauce by Big Delicious Life
Sweet Potato Biscuits by Black Girls Who Brunch
Chicken Plantains and Vegetables by Black Peoples Recipes
Bobo de Camarao (Brazilian Shrimp Stew) by Brazilian Kitchen Abroad
Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart with Candied Peanuts by Britney Breaks Bread
Vegan Coconut Cake with Lime Glaze by Chenée Today
Fried Green Tomato BLT by Coined Cuisine
Shrimp Po’ Boy Salad by Collards Are The Old Kale
Warm Brewed Zobo Drink by Dash of Jazz
Sorrel Martini Popsicles by Dish It With Tisha
Fish Patties with Pontchartrain Sauce by Dude That Cookz
Stuffed Shrimp & Grit Collard Green Rolls by Fior
Salmorejo (Stewed Crab) over Garlic Grits by Sense & Edibility®
Brown Butter Brulé Bean Pie by The Queen of Yum
See the full list of participants at Eat the Culture!
Spicy Berbere Lentil Chili
Ingredients
Method
- Heat a large pot on medium heat. This could be a Dutch oven style pot. Heat for 4-5 minutes.
- Add 1 Tbsp of oil. Oil should be added only after the pot has had time to warm up. Heat the oil for 3-4 minutes still on medium heat.
- Add in 1 cup of diced yellow onion, 1 cup of red onion, and 1 tsp of ginger. Saute until onions are translucent.
- Stir in 1 Tbsp of Ghee and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic.
- Add in your spices: 3 Tbsp berbere, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 tsp sea salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ Tbsp chili powder, 1 Tbsp smoked paprika. Toast for 5 minutes stirring regularly. (See Notes)
- Stir in the 2 Tbsp of tomato paste, add ½ cup hot water, simmer 10 minutes then add the remaining ½ cup of hot water (add more hot water if the mixture gets too thick).
- While the mixture is simmering rinse 1 cup of lentils under cold water.
- Stir in 1 16 ounce can of stewed tomatoes, 1 15 ounce kidney beans, 1 cup of red lentils, and 2 cups vegetable broth.
- Simmer on medium-low for 25 minutes, taste and adjust seasoning at this time if necessary.
- After 25 min (see step 9), taste your chili for the appropriate seasoning. You are also tasting for tenderness of the lentils. If they are still crunchy you will add more cooking time. Note the consistency of your chili as well. At this stage, I added 1 cup of vegetable broth, for a total of three cups. You may opt not to include the additional cup if you prefer a thicker consistency.
- Cook an additional 25 minutes. Then taste again for seasoning and texture consistency.
- Once the chili is done, top it with your preferred toppings. I chose to lightly fry okra in a frying pan using ½ Tbsp of ghee, seasoned with salt and pepper.
- For a nice crunch, I toasted a half cup of groundnuts, or peanuts, in a frying pan using ½ Tbsp of ghee, seasoned with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and berbere to taste.
- Enjoy your chili!
Notes
- Use 3 Cups of broth for a looser consistency or 2 Cups for a thicker stew consistency
- Though I provide measurements, season to taste. It is essential to test at key points during the cooking process to ensure the spice level is to your liking.
- I was specifically going for a slightly sweet and spicy chili. Reduce the brown sugar to 1 Tablespoon for a more subtle sweetness or eliminate it completely to indulge in the spice alone.
- I purchased the Niter Kibbeh my local Ethiopian market, where I also found Injera crisps which were a nice compliment to the finished chili. If you are unable to find ghee at a store near you, you may use unsalted butter.
- To make this dish vegan, simply omit the ghee.
Discover more from Flights and Foods
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
4,937 Comments
pt777
Its great as your other content : D, regards for posting. “As experience widens, one begins to see how much upon a level all human things are.” by Joseph Farrell.
gopay303
As soon as I detected this internet site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
gopay303
I too conceive so , perfectly written post! .
luxury333
I really like your writing style, superb information, thanks for posting :D. “I hate mankind, for I think myself one of the best of them, and I know how bad I am.” by Joseph Baretti.
monas77
I am really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A number of my blog readers have complained about my blog not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any solutions to help fix this issue?
monas77
Wow, wonderful weblog format! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you made blogging look easy. The full look of your site is magnificent, let alone the content material!
monas77
Hello my friend! I wish to say that this post is awesome, nice written and include approximately all important infos. I would like to see extra posts like this .
monas77
This web site is known as a walk-by means of for the entire info you wished about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll undoubtedly discover it.
hitam138
I’ve been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or blog posts in this kind of area . Exploring in Yahoo I finally stumbled upon this website. Reading this info So i’m satisfied to exhibit that I’ve a very just right uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I most definitely will make sure to do not forget this web site and provides it a glance regularly.
bro138
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
luxury333
The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a 40 foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
kilat62
Good web site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I might be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!
luxury333
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem along with your website in internet explorer, would test thisK IE still is the market chief and a huge section of people will omit your great writing due to this problem.
Recarga Unitv Trimestral
Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read something like this before. So nice to search out someone with some unique ideas on this subject. realy thank you for beginning this up. this website is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with just a little originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the web!
perpajakan
There may be noticeably a bundle to know about this. I assume you made sure nice points in features also.
mpo555
Only wanna input that you have a very nice web site, I like the pattern it actually stands out.
gsc108
Great web site. Plenty of helpful information here. I am sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you for your sweat!
Jelly Lean Review
I think this web site holds very superb pent subject material blog posts.
Jelly Lean
Attractive component to content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact loved account your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing for your feeds or even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
Dr Jennifer Ashton
Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept