Misir Wot - Ethiopian Red Lentils

Name: Misir Wot - Ethiopian Red Lentils
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Moroccan, African
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (or ghee (see notes)); 1 cup onion (chopped fine (1 medium)); 1 tablespoon minced garlic ((3 cloves)); 1 tablespoon minced ginger ((1-inch ginger grated or minced)); 1 tablespoon tomato paste ((or 1 roma tomato pureed)); 1 teaspoon salt (; if using Berbere, adjust salt based on spice blend contents); 1½-2 tablespoons berbere seasoning ((reduce to 1 tbsp for mild)); 1 cup red lentils (rinsed 2-3 times); 2½ cups water (adjust consistency after cooking (see notes)); lime juice (garnish before serving); ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon turmeric powder; 1 ½ teaspoons coriander powder; ½ teaspoon ground cumin; 1 pinch ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper; ½ teaspoon garam masala