Ethiopian

Shiro (Ethiopian Spiced Chickpea or Lentil Stew)

A community recipe for Shiro (Ethiopian Spiced Chickpea or Lentil Stew), adapted from the collaboratively edited Wikibooks Cookbook.

Moderate difficulty
Creative Commons source

Gather

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 cup Shiro Powder (Chickpea Or Lentil Flour)
  • 4 cups Vegetable Broth or water
  • 1 tablespoon Berbere Spice Blend
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • ½ teaspoon Turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon Salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
  • As needed Parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Make it

Method

  1. 1

    Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté until translucent and slightly browned.

  3. 3

    Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.

  4. 4

    Sprinkle the berbere spice blend, ground cumin, ground turmeric, salt, and black pepper over the onions and garlic. Stir well to coat the ingredients with the spices.

  5. 5

    Add the shiro powder to the pot and stir it into the onion and spice mixture.

  6. 6

    Gradually pour in the vegetable broth or water while continuously stirring to prevent any lumps from forming.

  7. 7

    Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The stew will thicken and develop a rich flavor.

  8. 8

    Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

  9. 9

    Remove the pot from the heat and let the shiro rest for a few minutes before serving.

  10. 10

    Garnish the shiro with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve hot with injera or bread for dipping.

Creative CommonsCommunity recipe

Source & rights

Where this recipe comes from

Adapted from “Shiro (Ethiopian Spiced Chickpea or Lentil Stew)” by Wikibooks contributors, revision 4518683, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This source recipe has been reformatted for Pantry Start but has not yet been kitchen-tested by our editors. Check current food-safety guidance and use your judgment.