Spin on *Azifa Salad

*An Ethiopian lentil salad

Salads are a great dish for Summer: light, refreshing and often easy prepare. African salads are less known, so here is a brilliant spin on the popular Azifa – an Ethiopian lentil salad. It is a healthy alternative to add to your Summer menu!

It is based on green lentils, with finely chopped tomatoes, and onions. It can be seasoned with a little salt, pepper, and lemon juice and mustard.

Azifa is traditionally served chilled and is consumed as an accompaniment to various meat or fish dishes.

Ingredients

• 150g cooked green lentils

• 3 medium chopped tomatoes

• 2 medium red onions finely chopped

• 1 tablespoon chopped / minced seeded jalapenos (or use black pepper)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon ‘Senafitch’ (Ethiopian mustard seed), or brown mustard seeds 

• Generous squeeze of lemon juice

Method:

1.  Add your cooked and cooled lentils to a bowl and simply add all ingredients.

2.  Mix well with a spoon or a fork.

3.  Once all ingredients are well combined, refrigerate and serve alone as a tasty snack or have as a side with lean meat or fish.

Tips:

• You can garnish it with chopped olives or a tablespoon of flaked toasted almonds

• You can add chopped coriander to your azifa

• This dish can be eaten hot too - the lentils may be a bit more mashed