5-day slide meal plan · Protein: lentils
Days: 5
Protein: lentils
Budget:
$$—
Difficulty:
🍳🍳🍳–
Explore the vibrant flavors of Ethiopian cuisine with this 5-day lentil-based meal plan, featuring berbere spice and niter kibbeh.
Slide Chain
Day 1: Spicy Red Lentil Stew
Ingredients
Main
- 2 cups red lentils
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2 yellow onions, chopped
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4 garlic cloves, minced
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2 inches ginger root, grated
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3 tomatoes, chopped
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2 tbsp berbere spice
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1/4 cup niter kibbeh
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Salt to taste
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Black pepper to taste
Directions
- In a large pot, melt niter kibbeh over medium heat.
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Add onions, garlic, and ginger; sauté until onions are translucent.
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Add berbere spice and stir for 1 minute.
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Add tomatoes and cook until softened.
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Stir in lentils and 6 cups of water; bring to a boil.
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Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook’s Notes:
Reserve 1 cup of stew for the next day.
Day 2: Lentil and Kale Stir-Fry
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup reserved lentil stew
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1 bunch kale, chopped
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2 carrots, sliced
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2 tbsp vegetable oil
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Salt to taste
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Black pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add carrots and stir-fry until slightly tender.
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Add kale and cook until wilted.
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Stir in reserved lentil stew and heat through.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook’s Notes:
Serve with brown rice. Reserve 1 cup for the next day.
Day 3: Chickpea and Lentil Curry
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup reserved lentil and kale stir-fry
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1 can chickpeas, drained
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1 onion, chopped
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 tbsp cumin
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1/4 cup niter kibbeh
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Salt to taste
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Black pepper to taste
Directions
- Melt niter kibbeh in a pot over medium heat.
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Add onion and garlic; sauté until golden.
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Stir in cumin and cook for 1 minute.
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Add chickpeas and reserved lentil mixture; simmer for 10 minutes.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook’s Notes:
Serve with flatbread. Reserve 1 cup for the next day.
Day 4: Green Bean and Lentil Sauté
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup reserved chickpea and lentil curry
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1 lb green beans, trimmed
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1 tbsp vegetable oil
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Salt to taste
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Black pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.
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Add green beans and sauté until tender-crisp.
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Stir in reserved curry and heat through.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Cook’s Notes:
Serve with rice. Reserve 1 cup for the next day.
Day 5: Lentil and Pea Pilaf
Ingredients
Main
- 1 cup reserved green bean and lentil sauté
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1 cup frozen peas
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2 cups cooked brown rice
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Juice of 1 lemon
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Salt to taste
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Black pepper to taste
Directions
- In a large pan, combine rice, reserved lentil mixture, and peas.
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Cook over medium heat until peas are heated through.
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Stir in lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
Cook’s Notes:
Serve warm.
Combined Shopping List
Quantities shown are totals for the whole plan.
- red lentils — 4 cups
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yellow onions — 6
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garlic cloves — 10
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ginger root — 4 inches
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tomatoes — 6
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kale — 2 bunches
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carrots — 8
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berbere spice — 1/2 cup
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niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced butter) — 1 cup
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vegetable oil — 1/2 cup
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salt — to taste
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black pepper — to taste
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cumin — 2 tsp
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brown rice — 4 cups
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flatbread (injera or similar) — 10 pieces
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green beans — 1 lb
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canned chickpeas — 2 cans
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frozen peas — 1 lb
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lemon — 2
Final Notes
Enjoy this journey through Ethiopian flavors with lentils and vibrant spices, perfect for a weeknight family dinner.





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