Eritrean Berbere Red Pepper Spice Mixture Recipes

BERBERE (RED PEPPER SPICE MIXTURE)

Steps:

• 1. Combine all ingredients. Mix thoroughly.
• 2. Store mixture in an airtight container.

ZIGNI

Steps:

• For the berbere, grind spices if necessary. Combine the spices and roast in a dry skillet on low heat, stirring constantly, for about 5-10 minutes, or until warm and just slightly roasted and fragrant - not browned. The proportions between hot and mild paprika powder should be adjusted to taste. I prefer 50/50, which gives a fairly hot result. The paprika powder should be of highest quality.
• While still hot, pour the berbere pepper into a jar and seal. Will keep for months in a cool and dark place.
• For the stew, brown the meat on high heat until brown, then add the onion, and eventually the garlic and 3 tbsp Berbere, which are NOT to become burnt.
• Deglaze with the wine (if using). Add the canned tomatoes with their liquid, the stock cubes and the tomato paste and let simmer very slowly until the meat is tender and the stew has thickened (½ hour to 2 hours or more, depending on the meat).
• Add salt, pepper and lemon to taste. Garnish with coriander and serve hot on Injera (Ethiopian flat bread). Also good with rice or potatotoes.

BERBERE

Steps:

• In a small frying pan, on medium-low heat, toast the cumin, whole cloves, cardamom, peppercorns, allspice, fenugreek, and coriander for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove the pan from the heat and cool for 5 minutes.
• Discard the stems from the chiles.
• In a spice grinder or with a morter and pestle, finely grind together the toasted spices and the chiles.
• Mix in the remaining ingredients.
• Store Berebere refrigerated in a well-sealed jar or a tightly closed plastic bag.

ETHIOPIAN SPICE MIX (BERBERE)

Steps:

• Finely grind fenugreek seeds in an electric coffee/spice grinder. Stir together with remaining ingredients until combined well.