Best Shiro Ethiopian Chickpea Spread Recipes

SHIRO (ETHIOPIAN CHICKPEA SPREAD)

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil and 2 teaspoons of the Spiced Butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, ginger and berbere and whisk until combined. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is fragrant and the mixture has thickened up slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk in the chickpea flour, stirring briskly to avoid lumps; this will thicken quickly. Whisk in the tomatoes, 1 cup of water and the remaining 1 teaspoon Spiced Butter. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, adding more water as needed and stirring occasionally, until the mixture has thickened and the flour has cooked out, at least 10 minutes and up to 45 minutes for a stronger flavor. The shiro should have the consistency of thick buttermilk; it will thicken as it stands and cools. Season with salt and pepper and serve on injera if desired.
• Cut the butter into pieces and put in a saucepan with the cinnamon, garlic, ginger, rosemary, and turmeric. Turn the heat to low, let the butter melt, then simmer very gently (you don't want the milk solids to brown) for 30 minutes to infuse the flavors into the butter.
• Let the butter sit for 10 minutes until the milk solids settle at the bottom. Skim off any froth and pull out the cinnamon, garlic, ginger, and rosemary. Pour the butter into a large measuring cup--be careful to leave all the milk solids behind. Discard the solids. Then pour the butter into ice cube trays and freeze it. Once they're solid, you can put the butter cubes into plastic bags and keep them in the freezer for months.

SHIMBRA WAT (CHICKPEAS WITH SPICY FLAXSEED PASTE)

Steps:

• Heat a small dry frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the flaxseed and lightly dry-toast for about 2 minutes, stirring and shaking the pan, until aromatic. Transfer to a dish and leave to cool. Once cool, grind using an electric spice or coffee grinder.
• In a Dutch oven or sauté pan, heat 2 tablespoons of water over low heat and stir in 1 tablespoon of the awaze. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring continuously, then gradually work in the remaining 2 tablespoons of awaze, along with the ground flaxseed and 1 cup (250 ml) of water. Reduce the heat to its lowest possible level, cover, and cook, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes. Add a touch more water if it looks like the mixture is drying out-it should still be a bit runny at the end.
• Meanwhile, place the chickpeas in a saucepan and cover with 2 cups (500 ml) of water. Bring to a boil, remove from the heat, and soak in the liquid until ready to use. Drain the chickpeas, reserving about 1 cup (240 ml) of the liquid. Add the chickpeas to the awaze-flaxseed mixture, generously season with salt, and mix well. Tip in some of the reserved cooking water if needed so that the sauce is a touch runny and evenly coats the chickpeas. Cook for a couple of minutes to combine the flavors before serving.

ETHIOPIAN SPICY CHICKPEAS STEW (YESHINBRA SHIRO WOT)

Steps:

• Sauté the onion with oil, adding gradually half cup of water until tender; If the chickpeas are not spiced add the hot chili powder and stir for five minutes.
• Add one cup of water and boil.
• To the boiling sauce, sprinkle the chickpeas powder by stirring continuously until smooth and add one cup of water; stir continuously, (if needed add half cup of water); cook the stew for 25 minutes.
• Add to stew, false cardamom, black pepper and salt; cook until simmers.
• Serve it cold or warm with Injera, pita bread.
• Keep it in the fridge.
• P.S. (a)If preferred, mix the chickpeas powder with one or more cup of cold water in a bowl and pour to the boiling sauce; mix it well; stir continuously.
• (b) If needed, you may add 1 tablespoon purified butter (Nitir Kebe)* instead of the oil.
• * You will find these spices in Ethiopian or Indian shops/groceries.