Ethiopian cuisine generally consists of vegetables, spicy meat dishes and bread. Well, if you are a food lover and especially have a weakness for spices and art, Ethiopian food will definitely surprise you . A typical Ethiopian mealconsists of bread (injera) that is served with different spicy meat stews (wats) depending on the cultural group you choose from. The cultural groups will also present their dishes differently. Despite the differences in cultural groups, the ingredients and methods used to prepare and serve the dishes remain largely the same. However, the key factor is that all dishes are simply delicious! Eating is life and since we only live once below are a number of 10 delicious Ethiopian foods you must eat before you die.
10 Delicious Ethiopian Foods You Must Eat Before You Die
1. Tibs
Tibs is a dish that is mainly prepared on special occasions. Basically, Tibs meat is fried with or without vegetables. There is a wide variety of tibs dishes, but it all depends on the type of meat used, the size and even the shape of the cut meat. The tibs are then served either warm or mild, depending on your preference. Tibs are comparable to grilled meat. The big difference is in the seasoning and serving.
2. Chechebsa also called fit-fit
Well, this is one of the tastiest Ethiopian foods and one that ranks above my favorite Ethiopian plate list. Chechesba is a typical breakfast food that is not only very appealing but also very tasty. It’s like biting into a little piece of heaven. Fit-Fit consists of unleavened bread (Kitcha). This bread is shredded and fried in either wat or spices, spiced butter (niter kibbeh) and berbere spice mix, which is a staple ingredient in most Ethiopian dishes. It’s a perfect dish to start the day.
3. Kitfo
Kitfo consists of raw ground beef marinated in a very hot chilli powder and seasoned butter. Ayibe, a mild cottage cheese, can be served on the side to soften the effects of the chilies. Ayibe does not have a distinct taste. There’s also gomen kitfo, which uses collard greens in place of the ground beef.
Don’t Miss: Movie Trivia, Nicknames for Boys, Questions to Ask Yourself, Ethiopian Flag, Messages of Love, Jomo Kenyatta, Uplifting Bible Verses
4. Chuuco
This is a savory dish made from whole grains, also known as besso, and then seasoned with berbere and butter. Chuuco is also a healthy food.
5. Ethiopian lentils with sweet potatoes or yams.
This is one of those Ethiopian dishes that anyone with a good cooking hand can make. It’s pretty easy and quick to do. The only challenge you might face is adding the spices (amounts). This dish is served on its own but can also be served as water.
6. Injera
Injera is a large sourdough flatbread part of almost every Ethiopian meal. The bread is made from fermented teff flour, but can also be made unleavened. Injera can be mildly seasoned to enhance the flavor or left unseasoned if it is to be served with flavorful waffles.
7. Itto
Itto is a mixture of all waters, including vegetables and meat. The mixture is made into a thick, flavorful water, which is then served with injera. Traditionally, itto is prepared with leftovers to avoid food waste. But now it is recognized as a dish in its own right and can be found on most Ethiopian menus.
8. Tsebhi sga
This is a beef dish that is one of the most common and popular dishes. It is mainly served as a dinner with injera and tej (an Ethiopian mead). The beef is quite spicy, especially with the chilies used in its preparation. Tsebhi is served with spiced butter.
9. Doro Alicha
Doro is an Ethiopian chicken dish. It is a food that is mainly served on special occasions. Like many other Ethiopian dishes, doro is prepared with lots of butter. It is then served alongside vegetable salads and injera.
10. Dabo Kolo
These are small fried foods usually served as snacks. They are very tasty and once you start eating them stopping will not be an option. Once fried, they look like flat peanuts. Dabo Kolos are served with cocktails or other beverages.
Despite the names of these Ethiopian dishes, the food is quite complicated and difficult to pronounce. It is a delicacy well worth a visit to any Ethiopian restaurant. When you are here you might be surprised that there is no cutlery anywhere. Ethiopian food is traditionally eaten with your fingers and on the same platter with friends or family. The practice may seem strange at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll enjoy it.