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Kik Alicha (Mild Yellow Split Pea Stew with Turmeric and Ginger)
A luscious, comforting yellow split pea stew flavored with aromatic turmeric, garlic, ginger, and gentle jalapeño heat.
The story
Kik Alicha is a cornerstone of the Ethiopian Orthodox fasting tradition (Tsom), served extensively during Lent and on weekly Wednesday and Friday fasts. Ubiquitous on vegan combination platters (Beyaynetu), it provides a sweet, mellow, earthy counterpoint to spicy berbere stews. Unlike fiery wats, alicha dishes rely on slow-sweated red onions, ground turmeric (ird), and fresh ginger-garlic paste for their depth and characteristic golden hue.
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