Ethiopian Azifa Lentil Salad with Mustard Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A refreshing cold lentil salad tossed with tangy mustard and fresh herbs, perfect as a light side or starter. This Ethiopian-inspired vegetarian recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs green lentils, water, red onion, finely diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 230 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Ethiopian cuisine 230 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse 1 cup green lentils and place in a medium pot with 3 cups water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender but not mushy. Drain and cool to room temperature.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine cooled lentils with 1/2 cup finely diced red onion, 1 cup diced tomato, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until emulsified.
  4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the lentil mixture and gently toss to coat evenly.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 tsp finely chopped green chili if desired for a mild kick. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
  6. Step 6: Serve chilled or at room temperature as a vibrant side dish or light lunch.

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