Tag: Ethiopian

Berbere is an Ethiopian spice that can include – Paprika, Black Pepper, Coriander, Nutmeg, Ginger, Ajwain, Allspice, Birdseye Chili, Fenugreek, Cardamom, Clove, Himalayan Pink Salt, Onion, Garlic

It has a strong, rich, deep, hot flavor.

Most people think that almost everything tastes good fried.  I think almost everything tastes good with pasta.  So this is my Ethiopian pasta dish.  It’s intense but so delicious.  Goes great with wine or beer.  Good bread helps with the heat.

Colorful Bell Peppers Berbere Pasta

Ingredients:

• 1 T oil
• 1T Berbere spice (less if you don’t want it hot, more if you want it fiery)
• 1 to 2 medium red, yellow, or orange peppers, quartered, thinly sliced
• 5 cloves garlic
• ½ cup kale, finely chopped
• ½ cup tomato sauce with a little veggie broth 1/8 to ¼ cups
• 10 grape tomatoes, cut into ¼ inch sliced marinated in Braggs or salt when you start the dish
• Salt to taste
• 2 to 3 T walnuts – chopped
• 1 T capers – chopped
• ½ lb linguini pasta – broken in 2 inch pieces
• ¼ cup Nutritional yeast

Other Veggies can be added but peppers are great by themselves
Mushrooms, Eggplant, Onions, Zucchini, Squash (all cut up small)

Linguini or other medium size pasta works great!  If pasta is to large (penne, macaroni, rotini), the pasta will take over and through off the balance.  If pasta is two small (angle hair), the sauce & spices take over and there is nothing to offset the strong flavor.

Key ingredients – Berbere, Tomato Sauce, colored peppers

Secondary Ingredients – Garlic, Walnuts, Capers, Nutritional Yeast

Directions:

• Cook pasta with a little salt
• Place Berbere and oil in a medium heated pan, cook for 1 min
• Add bell peppers with a pinch of salt, cook 3 min
• Add garlic, cook another 3 min (roasted garlic is Great)
• Add kale & walnuts, cook 3 minutes
• Add tomato sauce and cut up tomatoes, cook 2 to 3 minutes (don’t let sliced tomatoes break up)
• Add a little veggie broth if needed to thin pasta sauce
  .
• Drain pasta, put in pan with peppers – mix
• Add capers, nutritional yeast, walnuts – stir
• Adjust salt if needed

Serve with good red wine, salad, good bread
Servings: 2 – 4