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Alicha Birsen (Mild Turmeric-Infused Yellow Split Pea Stew)
Tender yellow split peas simmered gently in a fragrant base of sweet onions, garlic, ginger, and earthy turmeric.
The story
Across the Eritrean highlands, Tigrinya Orthodox Christian households turn to Alicha Birsen during Tsom, the extensive liturgical fasting seasons where all animal products are strictly abstained from. While vibrant red berbere stews dominate everyday tables, this soothing yellow stew represents the delicate side of highland cooking, relying on the aromatic sweetness of slow-sweated onions rather than blistering heat. A key technical secret is sweating the minced red onions entirely dry in the pot before adding oil, caramelizing their natural sugars to build an intensely savory vegetable backbone.
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