Vegan Yeshimbra Assa Ethiopian Chickpea Fritters Food

YESHIMBRA ASSA -- ETHIOPIAN CHICKPEA "FISH" AND SAUCE

Steps:

• Sift the flour, 2 teaspoons of salt and the white pepper into a deep bowl.
• Make a well in the centre and combine 3/4 cup water, the onions and garlic in the well.
• Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the water and onions and, when blended, beat vigorously with a spoon or knead with your hands until the dough is smooth and can be gathered into a ball.
• If the dough crumbles, add up to 1/4 cup water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until the dough comes together.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 inch thick.
• With a small sharp knife, cut the dough into fish shapes about 3 inches long and 1 inch wide. If you like, you can use the point of the knife to decorate the top of each "fish" with scales and fins.
• Pour oil into a deep fryer or a large, heavy saucepan to a depth of 2-3 inches.
• Heat until it reaches 350 F and fry the "fish" for 3-4 minutes, turning them frequently until they puff slightly and are golden brown.
• As they brown, transfer them to paper towels to drain.
• Once you are done the fish you can make the sauce.
• In a heavy 10-12 inch wide pan (it's best if it's non-stick), cook the chopped onions for 5-6 minutes until they are soft and dry.
• Pour in the 1/4 cup oil and when it's hot add the berbere and garlic and stir for a minute.
• Pour in the 1 1/2 cups water and cook until the sauce is slightly thickened.
• Season with salt and then place the "fish" in the skillet and baste them with the sauce.
• Lower the heat, cover the pan and simmer for 30 minutes.
• To serve, arrange the "fish" on a platter and pour the sauce over them.

ETHIOPIAN BEEF STEW IN BERBERE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• Melt butter on stove top in roasting pan.
• In the roasting pan, brown the stew meat for about 10 minutes. Add the onion for the last few minutes.
• Add the ginger, paprika, cayenne, cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and allspice. Mix and cook for about one minute.
• Add tomatoes and wine.
• Cover, bring to a "medium" simmer.
• Place in oven for approximately 2 hours. Add water or broth 1/2 cup at a time if stew is drying out.
• Stew is done when meat can be easily pierced with a fork.

MOROCCAN SPICE PASTE

Steps:

• Mince/crush the garlic and set aside in a bowl.
• Add the other ingredients and mix.
• Cover and leave for at least an hour before using, for the flavours to blend.
• Use as a rub for meat or dilute with extra olive oil and roast with your choice of vegetables.

CHICKPEA FRITTERS

Steps:

• Combine the red pepper, shallots, garlic, lemon peel and ginger in a large bowl. Squeeze the carrots to remove the excess juice then add to the bowl.
• Place the chickpeas in a food processor and whizz for a few seconds until broken down and crumbly. You don't want a puree so don't blend too far. If you don't have a food processor just crush with chickpeas with the back of a fork.
• Add the chickpeas to the bowl along with the garam masala, cumin and ground coriander.
• Add the egg and mix well then sieve over the flour and mix again.
• Shape into small discs and fry for around 3 minutes a side in a little olive oil.
• When cooked remove and place on kitchen paper to cool.
• To make the tzatziki combine the cucumber, garlic and yoghurt in a bowl. Top the fritters with the chopped coriander.

BERBERE -- ETHIOPIAN RED PEPPER AND SPICE PASTE

Steps:

• In a heavy frying pan, toast the ginger, cardamom, coriander, fenugreek, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon and allspice over a low heat for a minute or so.
• Stir constantly until they are heated through and then remove from the pan.
• Next you need to combine the toasted spices, onions, garlic, 1 tbsp of the salt and all of the wine together into a smooth paste.
• I prefer to do this in a mortar and pestle but if you have a blender that is good with small quantities that may work too.
• Next mix the paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper and the rest of the salt in the frying pan and toast them over a low heat.
• Stir in the water 1/4 cup at a time and then add the spice and wine mixture.
• Stir vigorously and cook over the lowest possibly heat, stirring all the time, for an absolute minimum of 5 minutes and up to 10 or even 15 minutes if you can.
• Transfer the spice paste to a jar and pack it in tightly.
• Let the paste cool to room temperature and then cover with enough oil so it makes a film about 1/4 inch thick.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
• If you keep it covered with oil, the paste will last in the fridge for 5-6 months.