Berbere Chickpea Stew Recipes

Steps:

• 1. If you are using dried chickpeas which have the best flavour over canned chickpeas you need to soak them for a minimum of 8 hours if not overnight. Make sure they are completely covered with water as they will expand. Then boil them in fresh water with a little salt for about 50 minutes. Drain once cooked and set aside. You will need around 2 cups to 2 1/2 cups to get 4 cups of cooked chickpeas. If there is not time, do not worry, canned is okay. Try for Organic and make sure that if you are buying dried they are of good quality. Look at the size and colour and see if it has an expiration date on the bag. 2. Put oven on 200C or 390F and set for Roast. Start by removing the skin of the yam and cutting into 1/2 inch cubes. Place in a bowl and rub a little oil and Berbere spice mix on them. Put on a baking sheet and roast for about 15-20 minutes or until soft. 3 Next, chop onions, peel and mince ginger and chop finely the garlic. Add the 2 tablespoons of oil and the onions to a pot/pan and fry the onions until they start to change to a nice brown colour. You will need to frequently stir so they do not stick to the bottom of the pan. You can always add a little more ghee or oil if they are constantly sticking. 4. While you are waiting peel the tomatoes and roughly chop. Set aside. 5. Once the onions are brown add the ginger and garlic and stir for about 1-2 minutes. They will stick to the pan but don’t panic. 6. Next add the salt, cumin and the Berbere. Mix thoroughly and then add the tomatoes. Then add the cooked chickpeas and stir well. 7. Once the mix is simmering add the coconut milk, sweet potatoes and mango. Stir well and allow to simmer. NOT boil, simmer. Let simmer for around 25 minutes. 8. Taste at this point and if you think you need a little more salt feel free to add. Once done place in a nice bowl, sprinkle on top the peanuts, cilantro and the lime juice and serve either as a main meal or as a side dish. Serve over rice.

Steps:

• Prepare the spice mix: Place cinnamon, coriander, fenugreek, peppercorns, cardamom and allspice in a small heavy skillet set over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the smell is very aromatic and spices are lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Let cool.
• Transfer the mixture to a clean coffee grinder, add the chiles and onion flakes, and grind to a fine powder (or use a mortar and pestle). Transfer the ground spices to a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl, and sift. Regrind whatever large pieces remain in the sieve, and add them to the bowl with the ground spices. Add the paprika, ginger and nutmeg. Whisk well to combine, and transfer the mixture to an airtight jar. (Makes about 1/2 cup.)
• Prepare the shiro: Place the onion and garlic in a food processor, and pulse until very finely minced, stopping periodically to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to ensure even chopping. Set aside.
• Set a large Dutch oven or similar pot over medium-low heat. When the pot is warm, add oil, onion purée, 2 tablespoons berbere and a large pinch of salt. Stir to combine, then cover pot, and let aromatics cook gently while you prepare tomatoes.
• Place tomatoes in the food processor, and pulse until puréed. Add to onion mixture, and increase heat to high. When mixture boils, reduce heat to low, and whisk in chickpea flour. The mixture will be quite thick, like peanut butter. While stirring, slowly pour in 2 cups water in a thin stream to loosen the mixture. Keep stirring until the mixture becomes smooth and integrated.
• Increase heat to medium-high to bring shiro to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 5 minutes to cook off the raw taste of the chickpea flour and integrate all the flavors. Stir in the jalapeños and season to taste with salt.
• Serve immediately. (Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a few days. Store unused berbere in a cool, dark place for up to 3 months.)

Steps:

• Generously season beef with salt and pepper. Dust with flour and shake off excess. Heat a Dutch oven or other heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high, and swirl in 2 tablespoons oil.
• Add half of beef in a single layer and cook, turning a few times, until browned in places, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving fat in pot. Brown remaining beef; transfer to plate.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Swirl remaining 1 tablespoon oil into pot, still over medium-high heat. Cook onion and bell pepper until onions are golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add tomato paste and berbere seasoning and cook, stirring frequently, until tomato paste is caramelized, 1 minute. Add Worcestershire sauce and wine; boil until mostly evaporated.
• Return beef and any accumulated juices to pot along with broth. Bring to a boil. Cover pot, transfer to oven, and cook 1 1/2 hours. Remove pot from oven and stir carrots into stew. Cover and continue cooking in oven until beef is fork-tender and carrots are easily pierced with the tip of a knife, about 1 hour more. Stir in chickpeas; return to oven for 5 minutes more, just to heat through.
• Ladle stew into shallow bowls, sprinkle with mint, and serve. Cooled stew can be transferred to an airtight container and refrigerated up to 2 days, or frozen up to 3 months.

Steps:

• Season both sides of chicken breast with salt. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon berbere spice mix to coat both sides of chicken breast (see Cook's Note for recipe link).
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat until it just starts to turn brown. Immediately transfer chicken breast to skillet; cook 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a warm dish.
• Stir in lime juice, tomato paste, chicken broth, and coconut milk; stir to deglaze pan. Bring to a simmer while stirring. Add 1/2 teaspoon berbere spice and a pinch of salt. Transfer chicken breast back to skillet; reduce heat to medium-low. Cook until chicken is cooked through and sauce starts to reduce, basting chicken with pan juices as it cooks, 4 or 5 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Sprinkle with chopped cilantro. Serve with a drizzle of the pan sauce.