Azifa (Green Lentil Salad)

Azifa is the bright, cooling salad that rounds out Ethiopia’s fasting table. Green lentils are boiled until just tender, then tossed with onion, jalapeño, and a tangy lemon-and-mustard dressing that wakes up the whole bowl. It appears on beyaynetu platters, at holiday meals, and in homes where a simple, meatless dish is called for — always at room temperature, always welcome. For all its simplicity, it is one of the most requested dishes on the vegetarian table.

Cool, bright, and made for a fasting table

The lentils stay firm enough to pop gently between your teeth, while the sharp dressing and fresh heat of the jalapeño keep things lively. Traditional versions get their bite from mustard seed oil; a good Dijon mustard captures that same tang without hunting down specialty ingredients. Serve it alongside spicy stews to cool the palate, or eat it on its own with a piece of injera rolled up for scooping.

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