Ethiopian Berbere

Berbere is the quintessential spice blend of Ethiopian cuisine, lending a rustic, bold flavor to traditional dishes and grilled meats. Berbere is characterized by its fiery heat, from a blend of ground chile peppers and peppercorns. The heat is cut with sweet spices including ginger, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. As with many traditional spice blends, Berbere differs from region to region but can be used to season anything from vegetables to meats and stews.

Ingredients: chiles, ginger, cloves, black pepper, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, nutmeg, garlic, onion, coriander, fennel, fenugreek, ajowan, paprika, sea salt

Uses: Add to raw rice at the start of cooking for an exotic flavor. Sprinkle on steak, chicken or fatty fish such as salmon before grilling. Sprinkle on vegetables such as squash, carrots, parsnips or sweet potatoes before roasting. Add a pinch to honey cake, spice cake, fruitcake or gingerbread batter.