Ethiopia

National Day

Ethiopia Downfall of the Derg Day is a countrywide event. This is the National Day of the country. Also known as Derg Downfall Day, this day marks the independence of Ethiopia from the Derg military rule in 1991. Special speeches are delivered to show tribute to the martyrs, and a number of monuments are put up all over the city of Addis Ababa, the national capital. During this occasion, politicians attend war monuments and address the countrymen to offer laurels to the martyrs who lost their lives in the Red Terror and the Civil War. The event is one of the most significant festivals in Ethiopia and is treated as work free.


Doro Wot (make a day ahead so flavors marry well)

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 2 onions diced
  • 1/3 cup ginger
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 1 whole chicken skinless and cut in pieces
  • 1/2 cup nit’r kibbeh *
  • 3/4 cup berbere **
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 4 boiled eggs shelled (leave whole)

Method:

Put lemon juice and cut chicken in a large bowl mix and let sit for 10 minutes. While chicken is soaking add onions to a large fry pan and cook onions for 1/2 hour stirring occasionally, when done add ginger cook for 3 minutes. In the mean time make nit’r kibbeh*

Nit’r kibbeh *

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves of minced garlic
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 tablespoons minced ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground peppers
  • 1 teaspoon tumeric
  • 2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 2 teaspoon fenugreek
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoon fennel seed
  • 2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 2 tablespoon lemon leaves dried
  • 1 can tomato paste
  • cheese cloth

 

  • Method:In heavy saucepan, heat the butter over low heat.melt evenly. Do not allow the melted butter to brown keep on low heat. Then raise temp to medium and when the butter is bubbly toss in garlic, onions and ginger cook for 2 minutes, add the rest of the ingredients including 1/2 the berbere and slow simmer 30 minutes. No stirring. Strain the mixture through a clean cheesecloth twice keep liquid and toss the rest. set aside.
  • Back to chicken:
  • Then add oil, chicken and juices to onions and garlic in the pan simmer for 40 minutes, add nit’r kibbeh* and toss simmer for  20 minutes more then cool. Place cooled chicken and sauce in a bowl with whole peeled boiled eggs and  keep in fridge over night. Next day heat Doro Wot and serve with the other 1/2 berbere** and spicy green lentils, I like with naan bread. You may also buy nit’r kibbeh and berbere at specialty stores.

Berbere **

Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon each
  •  ground dried chiles
  •  paprika
  •  salt
  •  ground ginger
  •  onion powder
  •  ground cardamom
  •  ground coriander
  •  ground nutmeg
  •  garlic powder
  •  ground cloves
  • ground cinnamon
  • fenugreek

Method:

Mix all the ingredients together. Use as a condiment (hot)

Try with:

Tej or South African Chenin Blanc               T’chen chen