Kik (Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew)

Name: Kik (Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6-8 servings
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons hot paprika; 1 tablespoon ground cayenne; ½ teaspoon ground cardamom; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ teaspoon ground turmeric; ½ teaspoon ground coriander; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoon kosher salt; ¼ teaspoon ground cloves; ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon ground fenugreek; ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon ground nigella seeds, optional; ¼ teaspoon ground allspice; ⅓ cup water; 2 cups red lentils, soaked for 1 hour; 2 medium onions, finely chopped; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 3 teaspoon chow; 2 teaspoons salt; ½-1 green chili pepper, chopped, optional; 3-4 garlic cloves, minced; Water, as needed

Total Time: 1 hour, plus soaking

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Journey

Gojjam, EthiopiaAddis Ababa, EthiopiaJerusalem

Ashdod, IsraelJerusalem

The Ethiopian Jewish holiday of Sigd begins with a fast and after it’s broken mid-day, Brhan Leibman’s family celebrates with a coffee ceremony and a festive meal. Each person at the table is served a whole injera, which they tear into pieces and use to scoop up either this fragrant lentil stew, called kik, or a beef stew called sega wat.

An essential component of both dishes is the spice paste chow, which Brhan’s mother makes from scratch. Her version is a true labor of love, with different spices that are dried, toasted, and ground separately before being combined into a very fragrant, spicy paste. Below, we’ve included a simpler variation adapted from Gil Mark’s “Olive Trees and Honey: A Treasury of Vegetarian Recipes from Jewish Communities Around the World.”

Use any leftover chow to make Ethiopian sega wat (beef stew), or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to six months.

Read more about her family in "Brhan Leibman Shares a Break-Fast Menu for the Ethiopian Jewish Holiday Sigd."

Ingredients

6-8 servings

For the chow

3 tablespoons hot paprika
1 tablespoon ground cayenne
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
½ teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground fenugreek
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon ground nigella seeds, optional
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
⅓ cup water

Ingredients

2 cups red lentils, soaked for 1 hour
2 medium onions, finely chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 teaspoon chow
2 teaspoons salt
½-1 green chili pepper, chopped, optional
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
Water, as needed

Soups & StewsVeganVegetarianKosher for PassoverPareveQuick

Preparation

Step 1

Prepare the chow (spice paste): In a medium bowl, mix all the spices with the water to form a paste and set aside.

Step 2

Drain and rinse the soaked lentils until the water runs clear.

Step 3

In a medium pot over medium-low heat, add the onion and sauté without oil for 2–3 minutes, until it begins to release its moisture.

Step 4

Add 3 tablespoons of olive oil and continue to sauté over medium heat for another 5–7 minutes, until golden.

Step 5

Add 3 teaspoons of chow and sauté over medium-low heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the rinsed lentils and salt, then pour in enough water to just cover them.

Step 7

Cook uncovered over medium heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are cooked through.

Step 8

Add the minced garlic and green chili (if using) and continue cooking for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the stew becomes too thick, add a little more water to loosen it.

Step 9

Taste and adjust salt if needed. Serve hot with injera.

Meet the Family

More Recipes From the Family

Meet the Family

Brhan Leibman Shares a Break-Fast Menu for the Ethiopian Jewish Holiday Sigd

2 Recipes

The Home of Jewish Food

Ingredients

For the chow

Ingredients

Preparation

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Meet the Family

More Recipes From the Family

Meet the Family

Brhan Leibman Shares a Break-Fast Menu for the Ethiopian Jewish Holiday Sigd

More Recipes From the Family

Sega Wat (Ethiopian Beef Stew)

Related Recipes

Messer Wot (Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew)

Shorbat Adas (Syrian Red Lentil Soup)

Kichree (Iraqi Rice and Red Lentils)

Lentil Stew With Carrots and Tomatoes