Berbere Spice Mix Recipe

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berberé, a reddish powdered spice mix, in a small white serving dish on a ceramic tile.

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This berbere seasoning is earthy and aromatic with a touch of heat, and provides the foundation to the cooking of Eritrea, Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. Delicious in stews or as a rub, marinade or even as a table condiment, you can keep it mellow or ramp up the heat as much as you like.

Servings: tsp

Author: Helen Best-Shaw

Prep Time5

Cook Time1

Ingredients

Whole spices

2-3 dried chillies
3 green cardamon pods
2 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp fenugreek seeds - see ingredient notes above
1 tsp black peppercorns
3 allspice berries
3 cloves

Ground spices

2 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp ground ginger
¼ tsp nutmeg - freshly grated for preference
¼ tsp ground cinnamon

Instructions

Remove the seeds and membranes from the dried chillies. Lightly crush the cardamon pods under a glass or jar and scrape out the seeds, discarding the outer pods.
2-3 dried chillies, 3 green cardamon pods
Put both the chilli and the cardamon seeds in a heavy dry pan with the rest of the whole spices. Toast the spices over a medium heat, shaking every 10 seconds or so. Heat until fragrant, ensuring that your spices do not burn.
2 tsp coriander seeds, 1 tsp cumin seeds, ½ tsp fenugreek seeds, 1 tsp black peppercorns, 3 allspice berries, 3 cloves
Transfer to a spice or coffee grinder and whizz for a few seconds until powdered. Do not remove the lid for a good few seconds after grinding, in order to allow the powder to settle.
Add the remaining ingredients (the powdered spices), and briefly whizz to mix. Allow to settle.
2 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tsp ground turmeric, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Transfer to a storage jar with a good seal. It helps to use a funnel to do this, so that you avoid waste and mess.

Notes

Storage

As with all spices, store in a cool, dark, dry cupboard or drawer. The shortest date on the ingredients is the ‘best before’ date, though the spice mix will not go off if stored correctly. Flavour will diminish over time if you keep it for years.

Hints and tips

Don't forget to give the spices a moment to settle before you open the grinder. You don't want chilli in your eyes!

Use a grinder with two separate bowls so that you don't get spiced coffee (unless you wanted it with cardamon).

• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.