Kuluwa Eritrean Chopped Meat Recipes

KULU'WA (ERITREAN CHOPPED MEAT)

Steps:

• Saute onion in butter for 5 minutes. Add tomato, garlic and berbere. Add meat and saute for 10 minutes.
• Serve on injera or a sourdough bread.

SHIRO (GROUND-CHICKPEA STEW)

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.)

KUKUL MAS MALUWA (SRI LANKAN CHICKEN CURRY)

Steps:

• In a small skillet, combine the coriander, cumin, fennel, cardamom, peppercorns and 15 curry leaves. Heat the spice mixture over medium heat, stirring often, until the spices are toasted and fragrant, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder and grind into powder. (You should have about 3 1/2 tablespoons.) Set aside the toasted curry powder.
• In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, heat the coconut oil over medium-high. Add the onion, garlic and ginger, and cook, stirring often, until the onion has softened, about 8 minutes. Add the toasted curry powder, paprika, turmeric and salt, and cook, stirring, another 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, chiles and remaining 5 curry leaves.
• Add the chicken and toss to cover it in the onion mixture. Add the pandan, cinnamon and lemongrass, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook, for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the coconut milk and simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly, about 20 minutes more. (The light meat will be cooked before the dark meat; you can simply remove it when it's done and add it back in when the dark meat is cooked.)
• Add the vinegar and season to taste with salt.

ERITREAN / ETHIOPIAN BEEF STEW -- TSEBHI SGA OR KEY WET

Steps:

• Chop onions into small fine pieces.
• Heat a shallow deep pan, about 3 to 4 inches deep.
• Add half of the spiced butter.
• Once butter is melted add the chopped onions and cook it until the onion is caramelized.
• Be sure not to burn the onions, keep stirring!
• Add the chili paste to the cooked onions.
• Mix it well by adding a drop of water at a time as needed.
• Cook for about 15 minutes by adding a drop of water as you stir to stop it from drying.
• Add tomatoes and cook for about 30 minutes more stirring it often and adding a drop of water as needed to prevent it from drying out.
• Cut beef into small bite sizes, about ½ inch cubes.
• Add beef to the cooking paste and cook covered for about 20 minutes or until it is cooked fully.
• Add the remainder of the spiced butter and mix well.
• Let cook of about 5 more minutes.
• Depending on your personal desire, you may add more water to bring it to the consistency you like.