Kitfo (Ethiopian Spiced Minced Beef)
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The Tale of Kitfo (Ethiopian Spiced Minced Beef)
Story updated
Kitfo, minced raw beef seasoned with mitmita chili powder and spiced clarified butter, comes from the Gurage people of southern Ethiopia, whose language gave the dish its name, meaning "to mince." A popular legend ties it to wartime cooking that avoided revealing campfires, though food historians consider that story more folklore than fact. Today it's a festive dish for weddings and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale:· 4 servings
- 1 lb very fresh lean beef tenderloin, finely minced
- 4 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter), melted
- 2 tbsp mitmita (Ethiopian chili spice blend)
- 1 tsp ground koseret or dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Ayib (Ethiopian fresh cheese), for serving
- Gomen (collard greens), for serving
- Injera, for serving
Instructions
- 1Mince the beef very finely by hand with a sharp knife until almost paste-like.
- 2Warm the niter kibbeh gently until melted but not hot.
- 3Mix the melted niter kibbeh with mitmita and koseret in a bowl.
- 4Fold the spiced butter into the minced beef until evenly coated.
- 5Season with salt and taste, adjusting mitmita for heat.
- 6For leb leb style, warm the mixture briefly in a pan over low heat just until barely warmed through.
- 7Serve immediately with ayib, gomen, and injera.
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