Kik Wat (Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

5 yellow onions, minced
5 red onions, minced
24 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/4 cups canola oil
1/2 cup berbere seasoning
2 tablespoons berbere seasoning
2 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes
5 cups red lentils
10 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cardamom
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Preparation

Place yellow onions, red onions, and garlic in a large pot over medium heat; cook and stir until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons berbere; cook and stir until incorporated, about 3 minutes. Pour in oil and stir until combined, about 3 minutes more.
Stir crushed tomatoes into the pot; cook until starting to break down into the stew, about 15 minutes. Add lentils; cook and stir, about 5 minutes. Pour in water. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Season stew with cardamom, salt, and ground black pepper in the last few minutes of cooking.