Berbere Lentils Recipe [Yemisir Wat] - Celebration Generation (2024)

FAQs

What do you do with Berbere spice? ›

Berbere is the flavor backbone of Ethiopian cooking, a cuisine built around heavily seasoned meats and stews served with a spongy flatbread called injera. Berbere ties all of that together, doing duty as a dry rub for meats, a seasoning for stews, lentils and grains — even as a tableside condiment.

Spicy Timtimo (Red Split Lentils) | Red split lentils, Vegan dishes, Recipes. Food And Drink.

Berbere is a spicy chili blend, but its complex flavor isn't bursting with heat. While not exactly mild, berbere is mellowed by sweet, citrusy flavors.

The high contents of vitamin A and C in chili peppers can also help to ward off infection. By leaving the sauces to simmer over low heat for a prolonged time, berbere's anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, anti-infection, and antimicrobial and cough suppressant benefits can be attained.

Berbere (Amharic: በርበሬ bärbäre, Tigrinya: በርበረ bärbärä) is a spice mixture whose constituent elements usually include chili peppers, coriander, garlic, ginger, Ethiopian holy basil (besobela) seeds, korarima, rue, ajwain or radhuni, nigella, and fenugreek. It is a key ingredient in the cuisines of Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The base of Ethiopian cuisine is injera, a fermented pancake-like bread made from a grain called tef. It's served with a stew made with beef, lamb, chicken, fish, or vegetables. But there's far more to Ethiopian cuisine than just this classic.

Ethiopian cuisine is not only healthy and nutritious, but also a great way to expose children to new flavors and teach them about another part of the world at the same time. What kids will love most about Ethiopian food is that you use your hands — exclusively! Though a tad messy at times, it's the perfect finger food.

Peppery, Citrusy, Vibrant & Versatile. I love cooking with our Ethiopian Berbere blend due to its vibrant peppery flavor profile, complexity, and most of all, its versatility. It goes great on everything from simple roasted salmon to chicken kebabs to hearty grain salads (many of my weeknight staples).

Baharat creates a balance of flavors less spicy than berbere while providing a more mild heat that enlivens any dish.

This earthy-sweet seasoning blend is common in Ethiopian cooking. Paprika and allspice bring in smoky, savory notes while cardamom, cinnamon, and cloves punch up the sweet notes. Nutmeg, fenugreek, and turmeric add earthy flavors, and cayenne rounds everything out with a kick of heat.

Is berbere the same as Garam Masala? ›

Berbere is an Ethiopian spice mix that mainly consists of chili peppers, giving way to its hot, peppery, tangy flavor. Because the spice level is stronger than garam masala, use 2 teaspoons berbere for every 1 Tablespoon garam masala.

Berbere is a staple spice blend in Ethiopian cuisine. Made up of a number of spices that are roasted and ground, the primary components seem to be fenugreek seeds, cayenne pepper and paprika. The ratio of cayenne to paprika control just how hot the berbere becomes.