Birsen Special

Name: Birsen Special
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Eritrean
Ingredients: 2 cups yellow split peas; 2 onions, diced; 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp berbere; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tbsp ginger, grated; 1 tbsp tomato paste; 4 cups water; Salt to taste; 1 tsp cumin

ብርሰን ስፔሻል (bir-SEN speh-SHAHL)

Seasoned Split Pea Stew

⏱ Prep Time 50 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 318 kcal

A hearty split pea stew cooked with berbere, garlic, and ginger until thick and satisfying, a protein-rich fasting day favorite.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 20.0g

Carbs 46.0g

Fat 6.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

heavy pot wooden spoon

Presentation Guide

Vessel: injera platter

Garnishes: olive oil drizzle

Accompaniments: injera, hamli, salata

Ingredients

2 cups yellow split peas
2 onions, diced
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp berbere
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp ginger, grated
1 tbsp tomato paste
4 cups water
Salt to taste
1 tsp cumin

Instructions

1
Sauté onions in olive oil for twelve minutes until deeply golden brown.
2
Add garlic, ginger, berbere, cumin, and tomato paste, cook for two minutes.
3
Add rinsed split peas and water, bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer.
4
Cook covered for thirty-five minutes, stirring occasionally, until peas break down into a thick stew.
5
Season with salt and serve on injera, letting the thick stew soak into the bread.

💡

Did You Know?

Split pea stew is so central to Eritrean fasting cuisine that some families eat it several times a week during Lent.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

heavy pot
wooden spoon

Garnishing

olive oil drizzle

Accompaniments

injera, hamli, salata

The Story Behind Birsen Special

Birsen, made from split peas, is a pillar of Eritrean plant-based cooking. During the extensive fasting periods observed by Eritrean Orthodox Christians, this protein-rich stew provides essential nutrition without animal products. The dish demonstrates the sophistication of Eritrean fasting cuisine, which has developed over centuries into a complete and satisfying plant-based culinary tradition.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed fasting days and everyday meals 📜 Origins: Traditional Eritrean

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