Ethiopian Cultural Cooking Class Lalibela
Immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Ethiopian cuisine with a hands-on cooking class. Discover the traditional ingredients, unique spices, and techniques behind classic dishes and beverages. This interactive experience not only introduces you to the culinary art but also delves into the rich cultural and historical context of Ethiopian food.
1. Introduction and Welcome (30 minutes)
Overview of Ethiopian Cuisine: A brief history of Ethiopia's diverse culinary influences, with highlights of key staples such as injera (a sourdough flatbread) and berbere spice.
Cultural Significance: Insight into Ethiopian dining traditions, including communal eating and the gursha custom (feeding one another as a gesture of care).
Welcome Drink: Enjoy a refreshing telba (flaxseed drink) or suf (sunflower seed beverage) as a starter.
2. Ingredient Exploration and Prep (45 minutes)
Introduction to Ingredients: Overview of essential Ethiopian ingredients such as teff flour, niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter), berbere, and lentils.
Preparation of Base Ingredients: Participants learn how to make injera batter and chop vegetables for stews (wot). Techniques for spice blending and meat/vegetable preparation are also covered.
3. Hands-on Cooking (2 hours)
Participants will prepare the following dishes:
Main Dishes:
Doro Wot: A spicy chicken stew cooked with berbere spice and boiled eggs.
Misir Wot: Lentil stew made with a spicy base.
Shiro: A chickpea flour-based stew rich in spices.
Side Dish:
Gomen: Collard greens sautéed with onions, garlic, and seasoned with niter kibbeh.
Beverage Pairing:
Tej (Ethiopian honey wine): Learn how to brew and sample traditional tej.
Participants will learn proper spice measurements, layering flavors, and cultural presentation techniques.
4. Group Dining Experience (1 hour)
Enjoy the dishes cooked during the session in a traditional Ethiopian communal dining setup.
Practice the gursha gesture and savor the meal with cultural music playing in the background.
5. Dessert and Coffee Ceremony (45 minutes)
Dessert: Sample dabo kolo (bite-sized roasted dough snacks) or timatim firfir (injera tossed with honey and butter).
Coffee Ceremony: Experience the traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, including roasting beans, brewing, and savoring fresh Ethiopian coffee.
What's Included?
All ingredients, utensils, and aprons.
A recipe booklet to take home.
Tej tasting and a packet of Ethiopian coffee to keep.
Additional Notes
Suitable for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
Vegetarian and vegan options available for all dishes.
Maximum class size: 15 participants.
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