Ethiopian Barley and Flax Instant Meal (Besso Betelba)

Barley and Flax Besso is a kind of cereal which is perfect for breakfast or snack.

Ingredients:

2 cups barley flour (Yebeso Duket)
4 tablespoon flax seed powder
2 tablespoons clarified butter (Nitir Kebe) or
2 ½ tablespoons olive oil
½ teaspoon Mitimita (cayenne-type hot pepper)*
1 cup boiling water
½ teaspoon cardamom (Korerima)*
Salt (if needed)

Preparation:

1st Step: Boil water, remove from heat, combine it with butter or oil, mitmita, cardamom, and salt;

2nd Step: Place barley flour in bowl, gradually add the spicy marinated liquid and blend it well with spatula to avoid lump.

3rd Step: Using a tight sifter, spread the flax seeds powder over the blended barley and mix it well. Put it in individual serving plates and serve it with milk or orange juice.

Servings 2

Notes:

• Barley flour (Besso): 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 10 minutes (c) grind the seeds (c) add ½ teaspoon roasted garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon ginger powder and salt to taste; grind it more; keep it in a tight container, store it in fridge; use it whenever needed.
• Flax seeds: Lightly roast the flax seeds, grind it; keep it in a tight container, use it immediately or keep it in the fridge for a day or two.

Click here to prepare Purified/Clarified Butter (Nitir Kebe)

* You will find the spices mentioned here in Ethiopian or Indian shops/groceries