Cookbook:Shiro (Ethiopian Spiced Chickpea or Lentil Stew)
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Shiro (Ethiopian Spiced Chickpea or Lentil Stew) | |
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Category | Main course recipes |
Difficulty |
Cookbook | Recipes | Ingredients | Equipment | Techniques | Cookbook Disambiguation Pages | Recipes
Shiro is a flavorful Ethiopian stew made with spiced chickpea or lentil flour. It is a popular vegetarian dish that is rich in protein and aromatic spices. Shiro has a thick and creamy consistency, making it perfect for scooping up with injera, the traditional Ethiopian flatbread. This delicious stew is easy to make and full of comforting flavors.
Ingredients
[edit | edit source]- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup shiro powder (chickpea or lentil flour)
- 4 cups vegetable broth or water
- 1 tablespoon berbere spice blend
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Equipment
[edit | edit source]- Large pot
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Cutting board
- Knife
Procedure
[edit | edit source]- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté until translucent and slightly browned.
- Add the minced garlic to the pot and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle the berbere spice blend, ground cumin, ground turmeric, salt, and black pepper over the onions and garlic. Stir well to coat the ingredients with the spices.
- Add the shiro powder to the pot and stir it into the onion and spice mixture.
- Gradually pour in the vegetable broth or water while continuously stirring to prevent any lumps from forming.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. The stew will thicken and develop a rich flavor.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let the shiro rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish the shiro with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro. Serve hot with injera or bread for dipping.
Notes, tips, and variations
[edit | edit source]- Shiro powder is available in Ethiopian or specialty grocery stores. It comes in both chickpea and lentil varieties. Choose the one you prefer or try a combination of both.
- If the shiro stew becomes too thick upon standing, you can adjust the consistency by adding a little more vegetable broth or water and stirring until desired thickness is achieved.
- For a heartier version, you can add cooked and chopped vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or spinach to the stew.
- Some variations of shiro include the addition of minced meat or ground beef for extra richness and flavor.
- Customize the spiciness of the shiro by adjusting the amount of berbere spice blend according to your taste preferences.