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9 Uniquely Ethiopian Condiments: Traditional Ingredients, Spices and Seasonings
One of the defining factors in Ethiopian food is the unique flavors that result from the wide variety Ethiopian condiments used to make these dishes one-of-a-kind.
As an ancient civilization built on trade with other civilizations in the region at the time, Ethiopian foods have developed a rich array of dishes and cooking techniques using several traditional ingredients.
As such, Ethiopian food is full of delightful flavors that result from the mixture of numerous different spices and herbs, well-crafted over many generations to be not too spicy but very well-seasoned.
Here are some of the most important traditional ingredients, spices, and seasonings that play a central role in the making of an amazing Ethiopian dish.
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!
Berbere Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyBerbere is an essential part of Ethiopian cuisine. Many popular dishes such as Doro Wot, require this spice. However, if you have found it difficult to find berbere in your local grocery or supermarket, you can make your own right in your own kitchen.
Mitmita Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyMitmita is a traditional powdered, red-orange spice blend that’s widely used in Ethiopia. It is the second most popular spice blend after Berbere. It is generally made from hot peppers that are stronger than those used in Berbere.
Traditionally, the main ingredients for making Mitmita are dried chili peppers, Korarima seeds (Ethiopian cardamom), but can also include other spices such as cloves, cumin, green cardamom, black pepper, dried garlic, cinnamon and salt. There is no one single recipe for this mixture of spices, instead there are in fact, many versions.Awaze Recipe – How to Make Ethiopian Spicy Dipping Sauce
Cooks in 5 minutesDifficulty: EasyAwaze, also known as Dilih in some parts of Ethiopia, is one of the most popular Ethiopian traditional Ethiopian sauces. Here is an easy-to-follow Awaze Recipe you can try to make at home.
Afrenje (Ethiopian Chili Pepper Spice Blend) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyAfrenje is a great substitute for some of Ethiopia’s well known spicy spice blends such as Berbere and Mitmita, especially for people with more delicate palates. With Afrenje, anyone can savor traditional Ethiopian flavors without having to tolerate too much heat. Afrenje tastes fantastic with recipes that have grilled or raw meat.
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.
Senafich (Spicy Mustard Seed Sauce) Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasySenafich is Amharc which directly translates to Mustard. However, the word Senafich is most commonly to refer to the spicy sauce made from Ethiopian mustard seeds. Senafich sauce has a more watery consistency than the typical western style mustard sauce, which makes it great to use as a dipping sauce.
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.
Telba Dipping Sauce Recipe
Cooks in 70 minutesDifficulty: EasyOne of the recipes for Ethiopian flaxseeds is this dipping sauce. It can be served as a breakfast item or a snack along with Injera or bread. Here is a simple recipe that you can follow to make Flaxseeds Dipping Sauce at home.
