African Recipes: Top 20 Popular Food (Cuisine’s) Recipes From Ethiopia, Along With Their Ingredients

One important thing for any visitor to note is the calendar of so-called “fasting days,” which are observed pretty religiously even in Addis Ababa. On Wednesdays and Fridays (Lent is also a fasting time), almost everyone eats a vegan diet, so those aren’t the best days to find great meat unless the restaurant is frequented by tourists.

But who wants to dine at those places? Lately, the upper classes have taken to bending the rules and having fish on fasting days, but still no dairy. Ethiopian is one of the best cuisines for vegetarians and vegans, since these traditions mean there’s always a large variety of veggie options on the menu. You can’t go wrong with the bayenetu, a colorful smorgasbord of vegetable dishes arranged on a round of injera.

Here’s a list of the top 20 dishes consumed in Ethiopia, along with their ingredients, measurements, and approximate preparation/cooking times:

1. Doro Wat (Ethiopian Chicken Stew)
Ingredients:
– 2 pounds chicken, cut into pieces
– 2 onions, finely chopped
– 3 tablespoons niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced clarified butter) or vegetable oil
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
– 2 tablespoons berbere spice
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup chicken broth
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 2 hard-boiled eggs

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 15 minutes
– Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

2. Injera (Ethiopian Sour Sourdough Flatbread)
Ingredients:
– 2 cups teff flour (or substitute with a mixture of teff and all-purpose flour)
– 3 cups water
– ½ teaspoon active dry yeast
– Salt to taste

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 5 minutes
– Fermentation Time: 2-3 days
– Cook Time: 30 minutes

3. Kitfo (Ethiopian Steak Tartare)
Ingredients:
– 1 pound lean beef, finely minced
– 2 tablespoons niter kibbeh or clarified butter
– 1 tablespoon mitmita spice
– Salt to taste
– Injera for serving

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 10 minutes
– Cook Time: No cooking required

4. Tibs (Sauteed Meat)
Ingredients:
– 1 pound beef or lamb, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 2 tablespoons niter kibbeh or vegetable oil
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon berbere spice
– Salt to taste

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 15 minutes
– Cook Time: 20 minutes

5. Alicha Wot (Mild Ethiopian Stew)
Ingredients:
– 2 pounds beef, lamb, or vegetables
– 2 onions, finely chopped
– 3 tablespoons niter kibbeh or vegetable oil
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
– 2 teaspoons turmeric
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 1 cup water or vegetable broth

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 15 minutes
– Cook Time: 1 hour

6. Shiro Wat (Ethiopian Spiced Chickpea Stew)
Ingredients:
– 1 cup shiro powder (ground chickpeas or lentils)
– 2 onions, finely chopped
– 3 tablespoons niter kibbeh or vegetable oil
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 tablespoon berbere spice
– 1 teaspoon paprika
– Salt to taste
– 2 cups water or vegetable broth

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 10 minutes
– Cook Time: 30 minutes

7. Dulet (Ethiopian Tripe and Liver)
Ingredients:
– 1 pound beef tripe, cleaned and chopped
– ½ pound beef liver, chopped
– 1 onion, finely chopped
– 2 tablespoons niter kibbeh or vegetable oil
– 1 tablespoon berbere spice
– Salt to taste

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 15 minutes
– Cook Time: 30 minutes

8. Ayib (Ethiopian Cottage Cheese)
Ingredients:
– 4 cups whole milk
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice

– Salt to taste

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 5 minutes
– Cook Time: 15 minutes

9. Dabo Kolo (Ethiopian Spiced Snack)
Ingredients:
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 2 tablespoons niter kibbeh or vegetable oil
– Water for kneading
– Oil for frying

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 10 minutes
– Cook Time: 20 minutes

10. Gomen (Ethiopian Collard Greens)
Ingredients:
– 1 pound collard greens, finely chopped
– 1 onion, chopped
– 2 tablespoons niter kibbeh or vegetable oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon turmeric
– Salt to taste

Measurement and Cooking Time:
– Prep Time: 10 minutes
– Cook Time: 30 minutes

Please note that the cooking times provided are approximate and may vary based on individual preferences and cooking equipment. Additionally, some dishes might require additional ingredients or steps not listed here.

Content courtesy of Mama Ntilie & NFH