Azifa

Name: Azifa
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Ingredients: 1.5 cups green lentils; 1 jalapeño, finely diced; 1 small red onion, finely diced; 2 tbsp mustard; Juice of 2 lemons; 2 tbsp olive oil; Fresh cilantro, chopped; Salt and black pepper; 1 green onion, sliced

አዝፋ (ah-ZI-fah)

Ethiopian Green Lentil Salad

⏱ Prep Time 40 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 229 kcal

A refreshing cold salad of green lentils tossed with mustard, lemon juice, jalapeños, and fresh herbs, served as part of fasting platters.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 14.0g

Carbs 32.0g

Fat 5.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian vegan dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ mustard

Equipment Needed

saucepan mixing bowl strainer

Presentation Guide

Vessel: section of platter or small bowl

Garnishes: lemon wedge, cilantro

Accompaniments: injera, beyaynetu

Ingredients

1.5 cups green lentils
1 jalapeño, finely diced
1 small red onion, finely diced
2 tbsp mustard
Juice of 2 lemons
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt and black pepper
1 green onion, sliced

Instructions

1
Rinse green lentils and cook in boiling salted water for twenty to twenty-five minutes until just tender but not mushy.
2
Drain lentils thoroughly and spread on a tray to cool to room temperature, preventing carryover cooking.
3
Whisk together mustard, lemon juice, and olive oil in a large bowl to create a tangy dressing.
4
Add cooled lentils to the dressing, tossing gently to coat every lentil without breaking them apart.
5
Fold in diced jalapeño, red onion, green onion, and fresh cilantro. Season with salt and pepper.
6
Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled as part of a beyaynetu platter or as a standalone salad.

💡

Did You Know?

Azifa is the dish that most surprises visitors to Ethiopian restaurants, as they rarely expect a cold salad on the injera platter.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

saucepan
mixing bowl
strainer

Garnishing

lemon wedge, cilantro

Accompaniments

injera, beyaynetu

The Story Behind Azifa

Azifa brings a bright, refreshing element to the Ethiopian dining experience, cutting through the richness of warm stews with its tangy mustard dressing. Green lentils have been a dietary cornerstone in Ethiopia for millennia, and this cold preparation showcases their nutty flavor and firm texture. The dish is essential to any proper fasting platter, adding textural contrast that elevates the entire meal.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed fasting days, cold appetizer 📜 Origins: Traditional Ethiopian

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