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37 Ethiopian Foods & Drinks to Make as an Intermediate Cook
Are you an intermediate cook looking to expand your culinary horizons and take on new challenges in the kitchen? Ethiopian cuisine provides a perfect opportunity to showcase your skills and experiment with flavors and techniques. With its rich spices, diverse ingredients, and vibrant dishes, Ethiopian food offers a rewarding experience for those ready to take their cooking to the next level.
In this blog post, we will introduce you to some of the Ethiopian foods and drinks that are well-suited for intermediate cooks, allowing you to explore the nuances of this captivating cuisine and impress your taste buds and guests alike.
Quanta Firfir Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateQuanta Firfir is a variation of the popular Firfir family that can be eaten for lunch, dinner, or even breakfast. But what makes Quanta Firfir truly unique is the Quanta, which is dried meat similar to beef jerky.
Genfo (Ethiopian Porridge) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateGenfo, which is porridge in Amharic, is a well-known comfort dish and breakfast food, traditionally enjoyed by recovering new mothers. In Ethiopia, it can be made using wheat, barley, or maize, enriched with berbere and niter kibbeh. For this recipe, we will keep it simple and use wheat to make our Genfo.
Zilzil Tibs Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateLearn how to make an authentic Ethiopian dish by using our Zilzil Tibs Recipe. Here you will find all the ingredients you will need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.
Key Wot Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateLearn how to make Key Wot by using this simple recipe from Ethiopian Food Guide. Here you will learn about all the ingredients you will need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.
Kikil Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateKikil is a mild stew made with lamb and potatoes. In some ways, it is similar to Alicha Wot but Kikil is more of a thinner watery stew. Learn how to make Kikil by using this simple beginner-friendly recipe.
Kochkocha (Yekarya Delleh) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateUse this recipe to make a hot and delicious dipping sauce that is quite easy to make for any occasion. It is great to eat with Dirkosh, as well as most meat-based Tibs dishes.
Minchet Abish Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateMinchet Abish is a beef stew made from ground beef meat. And in this recipe, you will learn how to make this unique Ethiopian dish. Here you will find all the ingredients you will need along with step-by-step directions to make the dish.
Firfir Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateFirfir, another popular Ethiopian dish that can be eaten for lunch, dinner, and even breakfast. Learn how to make this dish by using our recipe, where you will find all of the necessary ingredients and step-by-step directions.
Defo Dabo Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateDefo Dabo is one of the several types of bread made in Ethiopia. Typically, making Defo Dabo requires a special ingredient – the leaves of the Enset (false banana) plant or Koba Kitel in Amharic. However, if you can’t find false banana leaves near you, you can just use banana leaves instead.
Duba Wot (Ethiopian Pumpkin Stew) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateDuba is an Amharic word used for both squash and pumpkin. You can use any variety of pumpkin or squash you like are have close at hand to make your Duba Wot.
Engotcha Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateThis is a traditional dish popular among Ethiopian Jews. Learn how to make Engotcha by using this simple recipe. Here you will find all the ingredients you need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish with all the necessary directions.
Alicha Wot Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateHere are some easy-to-follow directions for a tasty meat-based Ethiopian meal – Alicha Wot, also known as Yebeg Alicha. It is a great choice for people that find berbere upsetting to their stomachs.
Dabo Kolo Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateDabo Kolo is crispily baked with small pieces of Dabo in the form of Kollo, which makes a great snack. This recipe adds some berbere to make it spicier and give its a little bit of a kick.
Kocho Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateKocho is a traditional flatbread from the Gurage region of Ethiopia. It is made from chopped and grated pulp of the ensete plant. The pith from the pseudo-stem of the ensete plant is harvested, pulped, combined with yeast, and then fermented for three months to two years.
It serves as a mainstay in Ethiopian cooking, either in place of or in addition to Injera. It is estimated that around 15% of Ethiopians rely entirely or in part on Kocho for a sizable portion of their meals.
Kocho is typically consumed alongside several well-known Ethiopian foods including Kitfo, Gomen, andMisir Kik Wot (Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateMisir Kik Wot, which is Ethiopian red lentil stew, is one of the most popular vegan/vegetarian dishes in Ethiopian cuisine – even though some versions of the dish add meat. It is a tasty lentil dish enriched with the flavor of Berbere. Learn how to make Misir Kik Wot by using this simple recipe, where you’ll find all of the ingredients you need to make this traditional Ethiopian dish along with all the necessary directions.
YeBeg Wot (Ethiopian Lamb Stew) Recipe
Cooks in 65 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateYeBeg Wot is a popular Ethiopian lamb stew that is usually prepared during holidays similar to Doro Wat (Ethiopian chicken stew). It is also not too difficult to make at home with just a few ingredients.
Alicha Siga Wot (Ethiopian Yellow Beef Stew) Recipe
Cooks in 60 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateAlicha Siga Wot, or Ethiopian Yellow Beef Stew, is one of the most popular dishes with a unique blend of spices, flavors, and cooking techniques that have been passed down over generations. Not only is this dish incredibly tasty, but it’s also simple to make! If you’ve never tried Alicha Siga Wot before, you owe it to yourself to give this recipe a try!
YeAter Alicha Kik Wot (Ethiopian Mild Yellow Split Pea Stew) Recipe
Cooks in 60 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateYeAter Alicha Kik Wot is a delicious and wholesome Ethiopian dish that is traditionally made with yellow split peas, onions, garlic, ginger root, and turmeric. This recipe for YeAter Alicha Kik Wot is full of flavor and simple to make with readily available ingredients. Moreover, even though it is a vegetarian dish, YeAter Alicha Kik Wot provides plenty of protein and nutrition. So, follow this recipe, make yourself a delicious YeAter Alicha Kik Wot , and enjoy!
Shiro (Ethiopian Chickpea Stew) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateOne of Ethiopia’s most beloved dishes, Shiro served with injera is an essential part of Ethiopian cuisine. Even though there are some versions of Shiro that include meat, this recipe does not and is thus a vegan dish. Enjoy!
Tikil Gomen (Ethiopian Cabbage Salad) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateTikil Gomen is one of the most popular, vegetarian dishes in Ethiopia. It’s extremely easy to make and adjust depending on the individual portions that you prefer. Tikil Gomen is also a good side dish to go with other Ethiopian wot dishes, such as Misir Wot and Shiro Wot.
Niter Kibbeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateNiter Kibbeh is one of the most essential ingredients in almost all authentic Ethiopian foods. And while it is readily available for sale, it is a lot of fun making your own!
Telba (Ethiopian Flaxseed Beverage) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateTelba is a rich, pleasant, and healthful beverage from Ethiopia. It is created from ground, toasted flax seeds. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Telba (Ethiopian Flaxseed Beverage) at home.
Ethiopian Lightly Spiced Whole Wheat Bread Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateHere is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Ethiopian Whole Wheat Bread at home.
YeShinbera Asa Wot (Ethiopian Chickpea Fish Stew) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateThis is a unique Ethiopian dish. YeShinbra Asa Wot, which directly translates to “chickpeas fish” in Amharic, doesn’t actually contain any fish at all. The name only refers to the texture of the dish that resembles fish. It is customarily prepared during special event as well as the fasting seasons.
Quanta (Ethiopian Spiced Beef Jerky) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateQuanta is a beloved Ethiopian snack that anyone can enjoy. Basically, it is dried-out beef that has been seasoned. While Quanta on it’s own is only eaten as a snack or an appetizer, it is also used to make one of the most popular Ethiopian dishes known as Quanta Firfir.
Ambasha Recipe
Cooks in 75 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateAmbasha is on of Ethiopia’s most popular breads that is frequently made for holidays like Christmas as well as other noteworthy events and festivities. It can, however, also make a fantastic snack or even breakfast. A typical Ambasha has cardamom, raisins, and black sesame seeds as flavorings, making it a pleasantly sweet and savory bread.
Kita Recipe
Cooks in 50 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateKita is a very thin traditional flatbread native to Ethiopia. It is typically made from simple ingredients such as flour, water and salt. Kita flour is often prepared from a variety of grains, such as wheat, teff, maize, barley, chickpeas, as well as a combination of these grains. Usually, it is cooked on a frying pan or a small-sized carpe maker.
Fasolia Wot (Ethiopian String Beans Stew) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateFasolia Wot is great vegan/ vegetarian friendly dish that can be used as a side-dish complementing any other Ethiopian food. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Fasolia Wot at home.
Lentil Vegetable Soup Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateLentil Vegetable Soup is a great comfort food you can enjoy at any time. It is especially popular during the flu seasons in Ethiopia. And, it is also vegan/ vegetarian friendly. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Lentil Vegetable Soup at home.
Ethiopian Hummus Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateEthiopian Hummus is quite a tasty and appetizing paste that can be served along with any Ethiopian dish. It is mainly made from made from Fava Beans and Sunflower seeds, both of which come with several health benefits. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Ethiopian Hummus at home.
YeShinbera Alicha Fitfit Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateYeShinbera Alicha Fitfit is very enjoyable and tasty mild side-dish. It is made from shreded Injera thoroughly mixed with different Ethiopian spices including turmeric that gives it it’s mild taste and light-yellow color. YeShinbera Alicha Fitfit is vegan/ vegetarian friendly.
Asa Kitfo (Fish Steak Tartar) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateOne of the most popular fish dishes in Ethiopia is Asa Kitfo. It is a delicious appetizer dish made from fresh fish mixed with spices that give it a uniquely Ethiopian taste. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Asa Kitfo at home.
Alicha Shiro Wot (Ethiopian Mild Chickpea Stew) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateAlicha Shiro Wot is a mild variation of the Shiro Wot (Ethiopian Chickpea Stew) dish; the main differenc being the turmeric spice which gives this dish a milder taste and light-yeloowish look. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to easily make Alicha Shiro Wot at home.
Shamita Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateShamita is a traditional fermented beverage widely consumed in different regions of Ethiopia, especially by the Gurage people. It is low in alcohol content, and is made by overnight fermentation of mainly roasted barley flour. Because of its thick consistency and being a good source of protin, Shamita has been known to be used as a meal replacement. However, it has poor keeping quality and must be consumed within a few hours after being ready for consumption.
Keribo Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateOne of the most popular traditional fermented drinks in Ethiopian rural and urban areas is Keribo, also known as Keneto. It is frequently served on holidays and during special events like weddings. Keribo is made using sugar and overtoasted barley grain. Here is a simple recipe that you may use to create Keribo at home.
Birz Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateBirz is a traditional Ethiopian beverage made from water and fermented honey, that was once used as a regular substitute for water. It is quite tasty, refreshing and has many health advantages.
Spiced Bunna (Ethiopian Coffee) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: IntermediateCoffee is referred to as “Bunna” in Amharic, and if you enjoy drinking it, you are probably already aware that Ethiopia is where coffee first originated. Ethiopian coffee, Bunna is renowned for its flavor, satisfaction, and aroma around the world.
Embarking on a culinary journey through Ethiopian cuisine as an intermediate cook opens up a world of exciting possibilities in the kitchen. With its rich flavors, aromatic spices, and diverse ingredients, Ethiopian foods and drinks provide the perfect canvas to showcase your skills and creativity.
So, gather your ingredients, sharpen your knives, and embrace the challenge of creating these delicious Ethiopian dishes. With each dish you prepare, you’ll enhance your culinary repertoire and develop a deeper appreciation for the flavors and techniques that make Ethiopian cuisine truly exceptional.
