Ethiopian Mild Lamb Stew (Yebeg Alicha)

Lamb (Yebeg0) Alicha is my favorite dish. It reminds me of my childhood.

Ingredients:

2 lb lamb chops (ribs and meat)
¼ cup purified butter **
2 cups white onion (thinly chopped)
1 tablespoon fresh garlic or 2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon fresh ginger-root juice or ¼ teaspoon ginger powder
1 teaspoon cardamom powder (korerima) *
¼ teaspoon bishop weed *
¼ teaspoon turmeric *
2 long hot chili peppers, seeded and sliced
6 cup boiled water
Salt to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Cut the ribs in smaller sizes and the meat in small strips, wash it with cold water;

2nd Step: Boil water in large pot; add the cleaned ribs and the meat; cook it for 10 minutes and strain;

3rd Step: In medium heat, cook the onion with two cups of water (adding the water gradually); stir continuously until tender (10-15 minutes);

4th Step: Add the butter, garlic, ginger-root juice, bishop weed and cook for five minutes.

5th Step: Add the ribs and the meat; stir for five minutes; put four cups of water and turmeric; cover and cook for 30 minutes;

6th Step: Add cardamom (korerima), salt to taste and cook to simmer;. at the end, add the hot peppers and remove from heat.
Serving 6 persons

* You will find these spices in Ethiopian or Indian shops
** Please click here to see how to prepare Purified Butter (Nitir Kebe)
For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/321660

Beef-Pepper Steak

My family favorite simple and tasty beef steak.

Ingredients:

1 lb beef tenderloin/boneless sirloin
3 bell peppers: red, yellow or orange (seeded and cut into thinly strips)
1 onion (thinly sliced)
½ tablespoon butter
½ Tomato (seeded, diced)
1 bunch rosemary or 1 teaspoon dry rosemary
2 green onions/scallions (chopped)
2 garlic cloves (mashed) & ½ teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
2 teaspoon hot red chili powder (Berbere)
2 tablespoons sherry or wine (if preferred)
2 hot green peppers (seeded and sliced)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Cut the beef in tiny slices; marinate with butter, chili pepper, diced tomato, wine or sherry and Italian seasonings; keep it in fridge for ½ an hour;

2nd Step: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in frying pan with the fresh garlic; add the beef and rosemary. Cook until lightly brown; Remove from heat;

3rd Step: Sauté the onion and scallions with one tablespoon until tender;

4th Step: Add the peppers to the onion; Stir-fry for 2 minutes;

5th Step: Combine the vegetable with the beef by lightly straining the beef broth. Keep the beef broth;

6th Step: To the beef-pepper steak, sprinkle the garlic powder, black pepper and salt; Add the beef broth, if needed; Mix well (cook for 5 minutes);

7th Step: Add hot green peppers, mix and remove from heat. Serve it hot.

4 servings

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/333577

Spicy Roasted Chicken

Delicious roasted chicken spiced with Ethiopian chili powder (berbere).

Ingredients:

4lbs whole chicken
1teaspoon chili powder (Berbere)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons dry wine or dry sherry
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon basil
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
2 lemons or limes

Preparation:

1st Step: Remove fat; clean the chicken inside and outside with cold water; soak the chicken for 15 minutes with cold water, lemon or lime juice and a pinch of salt;

2nd Step: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degree;

3rd Step: Mix the oil, red chili pepper powder, wine, garlic, black pepper and salt;

4th Step: Pat the chicken to dry; rub the chicken with some of the spiced mixture inside and outside;

5th Step: Put in the rest of the spiced mixture between the skin and the meat using thin flat wooden stick;

6th Step: Sprinkle oregano and basil all over the chicken;

7th Step: Tight the legs, tuck in the wings and place the chicken in the roasting pan breast up side; roast the chicken for 30 minutes; reduce the heat to 350 degree and continue roasting for another 30-40 minutes.

Keep it outside for 10 minutes to settle before cutting.
Serving 4
For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.recipezaar.com/Spicy-Roasted-Chicken-343918. For vitamin content please click on "Print Recipe" on aforementioned site.

Purée Vegetable Soup

Nutritious Soup for vegans, vegetarians and Lent observers.

Ingredients:
1 tomato (seeded, chopped)
1 potato (peeled, chopped)
2 stalks celery (chopped)
2 Leeks (cut below the dark green part, chopped)
2 carrots (peeled, chopped)
1 cup cauliflower (cut into small florets)
1 sweet red pepper (seeded, chopped)
1 teaspoon fresh basil (diced)
2 zucchini (chopped)
½ teaspoon fresh parsley (diced)
½ teaspoon garlic powder or fresh garlic (diced)
½ teaspoon chili pepper powder (berbere)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 bay leaves
6 cups water
Black pepper and Salt to taste
Preparation:
1st Step: Rinse well all vegetables before chopping;
2nd Step: Put all chopped vegetables, basil, fresh garlic, two tablespoons of oil in a big pot; Add 6 cups of water or more; cover and cook for 30 minutes;
3rd Step: Strain the water from the cooked vegetables; set aside the vegetable stock (it will be about 4 cups);
4th Step: Purée (mash) the cooked vegetables in a blender or food processor;
5th Step: In a lower heat, bring to boil three cups of the vegetable stock; add one tablespoon of oil;

6th Step: Pour the blended vegetables to the pot; add chili powder (berbere), garlic powder, black pepper, salt and bay leaves; if desired add one cup of vegetable stock; cook for 15 minutes;

7th Step: Remove from heat; sprinkle fresh parsley and serve it hot.

5 servings

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/320790

Broccoli-Macaroni Salad

Simple pasta and vegetable salad for vegans and Lent observers.

Ingredients:

2 bunch broccoli (cut off the stems and break up the florets, rinse)
1lb macaroni (twist, penne, etc.) - no egg
1 red bell pepper (seeded, rinsed, sliced)
1 yellow or orange bell pepper (seeded, rinsed, sliced)
3 scallion/green onions (trimmed, rinsed, chopped)
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
6 garlic cloves, thinly (rinsed, sliced)
1 teaspoon honey mustard
2 teaspoon vinaigrette or lemon juice
½ teaspoon fresh basil (rinsed, diced)
½ teaspoon fresh parsley (rinsed, diced)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Boil water, add the macaroni; cook it for 15 minutes (al dente);

2nd Step: Boil water, add the broccoli florets, cook for 5 minutes, drain and rinse with cold running water; drain well;

3rd Step: Place the broccoli in a serving dish;

4th Step: Sauté the garlic with one tablespoon oil in a medium heat;

5th Step: Add scallion and peppers; Stir-fry for 2 minutes;

5th Step: Mix the broccoli with the Sauté vegetables;

6th Step: Mix one tablespoon oil, basil, vinegar or lemon, honey mustard, salt and black pepper; whisk it well until the mixture is smooth;

7th Step: At room temperature, combine the broccoli and macaroni; pour the salad dressing; toss it well. Keep it in fridge.

8th Step: At the time of serving, sprinkle the parsley.

4 servings
For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/339629

Ethiopian Split Pea Mild Stew (Yeater Kek Alicha)

My Ethiopian Cooking: Split Pea Mild Stew (Yeater Kek Alicha)
Simple dish for vegans, vegetarians and Lent observers

Ingredients:

1 cup yellow split peas (rinsed)
2 red onions (diced)
½ cup olive oil or vegetable oil
4 cups water
¼ teaspoon bishop weed powder *
½ teaspoon fresh garlic or garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ginger powder
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder*
1 hot green pepper (seeded and sliced)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: In a medium pot, bring to boil 3 cups of water; add the rinsed split peas; Cook it for 20 minutes or more;

2nd Step: Meanwhile, in medium heat cook the onion with one tablespoon of oil and one cup of water (by gradually adding the water); stir and sauté continuously until it is very soft. You may add more water if needed. (10 minutes);

3nd Step: Add to the cooked onion, half cup of water, the rest of the oil, garlic, bishop weed, ginger and turmeric; Cook for five minutes;

4th Step: Strain the water from the cooked peas, set aside the water;

5th Step: Add the cooked peas to the onion; mix well and cook it for 5 minutes; add one cup of the set-aide water, salt and black pepper. Cook for another 10 minutes or until simmers;

6th Step: Add the sliced hot pepper and remove from heat. You may serve it cold or warm with Injera or bread of your choice.

Serving 4 persons.

* You will find these spices in Ethiopian or Indian shops.

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.recipezaar.com/320148. For vitamin content please click on "Print Recipe" on aforementioned site.

Barley and Fruit Juice (YeBesso Dukete Smoothie)

In Ethiopian, barley is one of the top cereal grains. The lightly roasted barely (YeBesso Dukete) is used as cereal and as a drink. Blending it with fruit makes it more tasty. It is satisfying as breakfast or snack.

Ingredients:

½ cup roasted barley flour (YeBesso Dukete)*
2 mangoes or 2 pears (peeled, seeded)
1 teaspoon honey or ½ teaspoon sugar
2 cups of cold water
4 ice cubes

Preparation:

1st Step: If roasted barely flour is unavailable (a) Take 3 cups of barley seeds, soak and remove inedible outer skin (b) lightly roast the seeds for five minutes (c) grind the seeds (c) add ½ teaspoon roasted garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon ginger powder and grind it more (d) keep it tight in a container and store it in fridge;

2nd Step: Chop the fruits;

3rd Step: Pour 2 cups of cold water in a blender, add ½ of the barely flour, fruits, honey and ice cubes; Blend it well; Serve it cold.

3 servings

* Roasted Barely flour (Yebeso Dukete) is available in Ethiopian groceries.

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/349161

Tuna-Vegetable Salad

Easy, quick to prepare and juicy fish salad.

Ingredients:

6 ounces tuna canned in fresh water
1 tomato (seeded)
1 sweet red pepper (seeded)
2 green onions/scallions
2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoon olive oil or vegetable oil
½ teaspoon red chili powder (berbere)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 hot green pepper (seeded)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Open the canned tuna; place it on tight strainer, rinse once with cold water; put it in serving dish and flake finely;

2nd Step: Chop thinly the tomato, scallions, sweet pepper and hot pepper;

3rd Step: Prepare the salad dressing - mix the lemon juice, oil, red chili pepper powder, garlic, black pepper and salt; Whisk it well;

4th Step: Combine the tuna and vegetable with the salad dressing; mix it well; keep it in fridge until serving time. Serve it with lettuce, injera, pitta bread or as a sandwich.

4 servings

P.S. If red chili pepper is unavailable, use minced parsley or basil to garnish the tuna salad.

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.recipezaar.com/343385. For vitamin content please click on "Print Recipe" on aforementioned site.

Spinach Dish

This Spinach dish is simple and instant.

Ingredients:

1 lb fresh spinach (washed, stems removed and lightly dry)
2 green onions/scallions (diced)
2 tablespoon extra-virgin oil or vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves (sliced) or ½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or parsley
2 hot green peppers (seeded and sliced)
2 tablespoons water
Black pepper and salt to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Sauté the onions and garlic with oil in a medium pot for 2 minutes;

2nd Step: Add 2 tablespoons water, black pepper and salt. Stir for 1 minute;

3rd Step: Lower the heat, add spinach, stir for five minutes; add the Italian seasoning or parsley, remove from heat before it releases water;

4th Step: Add the peppers, mix and cover it. Serve it cold or hot.

6 servings

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/350905

Grilled Salmon with Vegetables

My favoriate, tasty and healthy fish dish.

Ingredients:

1½ lbs fresh salmon
2½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 yellow sweet peppers (seeded, cut in halves)
3 red sweet peppers (seeded cut in halves)
3 medium sweet potatoes or yam (peeled, sliced encircles)
2 medium zucchini (peeled, sliced encircles)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon white wine
1 teaspoon teriyaki sauce
¼ teaspoon chili powder (berbere)
1 teaspoon rosemary
1 lemon or lime
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Rinse the salmon with cold water and fresh lemon juice, pat dry;

2nd Step: Marinate the salmon with one tablespoon of oil, one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, wine, teriyaki sauce, red pepper powder, garlic powder, black pepper; Keep it in fridge for 15-20 minutes;

3th Step: Mix all the vegetables; coat the vegetables with 1½ tablespoon of oil, rosemary, a pinch of red pepper, black pepper and salt;

4th Step: Lay the salmon and vegetables individually on a grill or broiler rack;

5th Step: In a preheat 400 degree oven grill or broil the salmon and the vegetables for 20 -25 minutes.

6th Step: Bring the grilled salmon to a platter and place the vegetables around it.

Serve it warm.

4 Servings

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.recipezaar.com/321540. For vitamin content please click on "Print Recipe" on aforementioned site.

Rice and Vegetable Dish

One complete tasty dish.

Ingredients:

1 cup basmati rice or brown rice
½ red onion (peeled, diced)
2 carrots (peeled, diced)
1 leek (diced)
1 stalk celery (trimmed, diced)
½ cup whole sweet corn (kernels)
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon curry powder
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
2 cups water (or more)
1 teaspoon teriyaki sauce (if desired)
2 cups vegetable stocks
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: In a medium pot, sauté the onion, garlic with oil until tender; add ½ cup of water, the Leek, carrots, celery; stir-fry for 5 minutes;

2nd Step: To the stirred vegetables, add 1½ cups of water, curry, teriyaki sauce and boil;

3rd Step: Rinse the rice and add to the boiling mixture; add the vegetable stock; cover and cook the rice in a lower heat for 15 minutes or until the rice absorbsw the liquid;

4th Step: Combine the corn and the boiling rice; mix well and simmer slowly for 2-3 minutes;

5th Step: Add salt and black pepper; mix well and remove from heat. Serve it hot.

4 Servings.

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/330672

Pasta with Vegetable Sauce

This vegetable pasta dish is simple. It is a practical cuisine for vegetarians, vegans and for those who observe Lent.

Ingredients:

1lb spaghetti (without dairy and eggs)
2 tomatoes
1 onion
2 carrots (peeled)
1 eggplant
1 red sweet pepper
8 oz can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato or tomato paste
3 stalks celery
1teasspoon basil (minced)
1 teaspoon garlic powder or minced garlic cloves
4 bay leaves
3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
1/2 tablespoon red chili pepper (berbere) or
½ tablespoon crushed red pepper
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Clean, rinse and chop the vegetables;

2nd Step: Coat the chopped eggplants with half tablespoon of oil and black pepper; bake them uncovered for 10 minutes;

3rd Step: Sauté the onion with oil; add all ingredients except the eggplant and crushed red pepper; cook the vegetables for 10 minutes;

4th Step: Add the eggplant, crushed hot pepper; cook for five minutes; remove from heat;

5th Step: Boil the spaghetti (al dente) for 6-7 minutes; strain; serve it hot with the vegetable sauce.

6 Servings

P.S. This Vegetable Sauce could be used with rice and for garnishing baked fish.

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/297421

Lentils Vegetable Soup

Ingredients:

1 cup lentils
½ onion (finely chopped)
1 tomato (seeded and diced)
2 carrots (peeled and diced)
2 stalks celery (trimmed and diced)
3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon fresh ginger juice or vinaigrette
4 cup vegetable broth
½ teaspoons white pepper
½ teaspoon chili powder (Berbere)
4 cups or more water
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Sauté the onions, carrots, celery with olive oil for 10 minutes by gradually adding half cup of water;

2nd Step: Add to the sauté onions, diced tomatoes, hot red pepper powder and stir for five minutes; add 3 cups of water, leave it to boil;

3rd Step: Rinse the lentils with cold water;

4th Step: To the boiling sauce, add lentils, ginger juice, white pepper and two cups of vegetable broth; reduce the heat to medium; cook for 35 to 40 minutes until the lentils are very soft;

5th Step: Using a cooking stick, puree the soup in its pot or transfer to a food processor, blend the lentils until smooth; and bring it back to its saucepan;

6th Step: Add the rest of the vegetable broth or water as need; then in a lower heat stir the soup for 10 minutes. Add salt and black pepper. Remove from heat. Garnish it with fresh parsley, basil or cheese of your choice.

Serve it hot or cold. Keep it in the fridge.

Serving four persons

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.recipezaar.com/298261. For vitamin content please click on "Print Recipe" on aforementioned site.

Couscous with Chicken

Couscous are small grains made of semolina, wheat flour, salt and water. The origin is Northern African. Couscous are delicate grains requires only lightly steaming. I was introduced to couscous when I was in West Africa. Since then, I enjoy cooking and eating it. It could be prepared with meat, vegetables, or with fruits as dessert.

Ingredients:

2 cups couscous *
4 skinless chicken breasts
3 tomatoes (chopped) or 12 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 medium onion, (finely chopped)
2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
1 cup chicken broth
2 medium carrots (peeled, cut in small pieces)
1 medium Zucchini (chopped)
3 bay leaves
3 whole cloves, crushed
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon turmeric or curry
¼ teaspoon hot red chili powder (berbere) cayenne pepper
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Clean the chicken breasts with cold water, lemon/lime and a pinch of salt;

2nd Step: Rinse the chicken breasts and pat dry; cut as desired;

3rd Step: Sauté the onion with oil until tender;

4th Step: Add to the the onion, the chicken breasts, cloves, cinnamon; stir-fry until the chicken turns to golden brown;

5th Step: Put on the chicken, the tomatoes, red chili pepper, curry or turmeric, carrots, zucchini; cook for five minutes;

6th Step: Add the chicken broth, bay leaves, salt and black pepper; Cook for 15 minutes;

7th Step: Meanwhile, prepare the couscous following direction from the package;

8th Step: In a serving dish, place the chicken and sauce in the middle and the couscous around it. Serve it warm.

P.S. Couscous grains are delicate requires only lightly steaming.

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/296613

Ethiopian Spicy Chickpeas Stew (Yeshinbra Shiro Wot)

My Ethiopian Cooking: Spicy Chickpeas Stew (Yeshinbra Shiro Wot)

Ingredients:

½ cup spiced chickpeas powder *
3 cups of water (as required)
½ cup red onions or shallots (finely chopped)
1 tablespoon hot chili pepper powder (Berbere, if more spicy required)
4 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or vegetable oil
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon cardamom powder (korerima)*
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Sauté the onion with oil, adding gradually half cup of water until tender; If the chickpeas are not spiced add the hot chili powder and stir for five minutes;

2nd Step: Add one cup of water and boil;

3rd Step: To the boiling sauce, sprinkle the chickpeas powder by stirring continuously until smooth and add one cup of water; stir continuously, (if needed add half cup of water); cook the stew for 25 minutes; then add, false cardamom, black pepper and salt; cook until simmers.

Serve it cold or warm with Injera, pita bread.

Keep it in the fridge.

Serving 4 persons

P.S. (a)If preferred, mix the chickpeas powder with one or more cup of cold water in a bowl and pour to the boiling sauce; mix it well; stir continuously.
(b) If needed, you may add 1 tablespoon purified butter (Nitir Kebe)* instead of the oil.

* You will find these spices in Ethiopian or Indian shops/groceries.

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/296355

Chicken Curry Dish

Chicken Curry is Indian dish. Long time ago, I tasted it in my friend's house and since then I am cooking it with my own twist.

Ingredients:

6 chicken breasts
1/4 cup butter
1 onion (finely chopped/diced)
1 tomato (diced)
½ teaspoon fresh garlic or garlic powder
½ teaspoon curry powder
¼ cardamom powder
1 tablespoon tomato paste
a pinch of ginger powder
¼ teaspoon hot red chili pepper (berbere)
4 small cinnamon stick
4 bay leaves
12-15 oz plain yogurt
1 cup of water
1 lime or lemon
Black pepper and Salt to taste

Preparation:

1st Step: Clean the chicken breasts with fresh water, lemon/lime and a pinch of salt;

2nd Step: Rinse the chicken breasts and pat dry; make 2 light slits on each piece;

3rd Step: In a low heat, melt the butter; add onion, garlic and sauté till tender;

4th Step: Add the chicken breasts to the onion; stir and cook until the chicken turns golden brown (10 minutes);

5th Step: Meanwhile, mix with one cup of water, the diced tomato, tomato paste, red chili pepper powder, curry, cinnamon stick, cloves, bay leaves, ginger, cardamom. Add it to the chicken and mix well. Cook for 15 minutes or till the water is reduced;

6th Step: Remove cinnamon sticks and bay leaves; add the plain yogurt to the chicken. Stir and cook it for 5 minutes.

Serve it warm with rice.

4 servings.
For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.food.com/353107