Steamed Lentil Sambusas with Mitmita Spice
Crisp Ethiopian-inspired lentil-filled sambusas seasoned with fiery mitmita spice, perfect as savory snacks or appetizers. This african-inspired vegan (vegan) ready in about 45 minutes pairs red lentils, water, onion, finely diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup onion, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon mitmita spice powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 12 sheets spring roll wrappers or thin pastry sheets
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 cup red lentils and combine with 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce to simmer, and cook uncovered for 15 minutes until lentils are soft and most water is absorbed; drain excess if necessary.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup finely diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent and soft.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon mitmita spice powder, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
- Step 4: Mix the cooked lentils into the spiced onion mixture, stirring well and letting it cool slightly.
- Step 5: Place 1 spring roll wrapper on a clean surface. Spoon 2 tablespoons of lentil filling near one corner, fold the wrapper into a triangle shape enclosing the filling, sealing edges with a dab of water. Repeat for all wrappers.
- Step 6: Arrange sambusas in a steamer basket and steam over boiling water for 10 minutes until wrappers are translucent and filling is heated through.
- Step 7: Serve warm as a snack or appetizer.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Steamed Lentil Sambusas with Mitmita Spice take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (25 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Steamed Lentil Sambusas with Mitmita Spice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep red lentils from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Steamed Lentil Sambusas with Mitmita Spice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Steamed Lentil Sambusas with Mitmita Spice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Steamed Lentil Sambusas with Mitmita Spice vegan?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegan based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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