Ethiopian platter is a very healthy vegan platter with lentils, vegetables, and fermented flatbread Injera. The platter is rich in fiber, gluten-free, and a combination of complex flavors. Moreover, this recipe has 7 different side dishes with different vegetables and lentils. Some recipes call for an Ethiopian spice blend called Berbere or with simple spices. This platter is full of vegan recipes, if you are not a vegan and want to have a richer taste then you can use Niter Kibbeh.
Niter Kibbeh is Ethiopian spiced ghee where all the spices are added in the butter and simmered to get a spiced and flavorful clarified butter. I have included a simple Ethiopian tomato salad which takes a few minutes to prepare.
Table of Contents
Food for the thought
“A brain was only capable of what it could conceive, and it couldn’t conceive what it had never experienced”
Graham Greene
Benefits of the ingredients (source)
Vegetables: They are high in fiber and are a rich source of folate.
Lentils: good source of protein, increases the energy level and lowers the cholesterol.
Video for Ethiopian platter
Steps for preparing Ethiopian salad and Platter
- To prepare Ethiopian salad, chop the tomatoes, cucumber, and onion.
- For the dressing add olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, pepper, salt, and grated ginger. Toss the dressing with salad.
- For the platter, Keep the Injera on the plate.
- Top with the different side dishes and serve.
Variations
For the salad: Add balsamic or red wine vinegar instead of rice wine vinegar.
For the platter: For instance, if you are not making the whole platter. Prepare the teff Injera, a dish with lentils, and a vegetable to make a wholesome bowl.
Other Ethiopian recipes
- Tikil gomen | Ethiopian cabbage
- Berbere | Ethiopian spice blend
- Misir wot | Red lentil stew
- Key Sir Alicha (Ethiopian Beet & Potato)
- Bamya Alicha & Duba Wat (Ethiopian Okra & Squash)
- Kik Alicha
- Injera
Questions/Tips
Is it necessary to have an Ethiopian spice blend for preparing the Ethiopian platter?
Not necessary. For every recipe, if it calls for Berbere(Ethiopian spice blend) However, I have given alternate solutions on the questions section. If you want to try the fresh spice.
What is Niter Kibbeh?
In other words, Niter kibbeh is a spiced clarified butter. Most Ethiopian recipes use this for the rich and creamy texture in the lentils.
/
How to prepare Niter kibbeh?
Firstly, in a saucepan, add the unsalted butter, crushed garlic, crushed shallots, ginger, nutmeg, oregano, cinnamon sticks, cardamom, fenugreek seeds, and turmeric and simmer for 45-50 minutes. Once the foam starts coming up switch off. Strain the clarified butter.
What does an Ethiopian platter contain?
Ethiopian platter contains homemade fermented Injera, two lentil dishes, 4 vegetable dishes, and an Ethiopian salad.
Can I meal prep the whole platter?
Yes, you can prepare the whole platter. After that, you can store each recipe in a separate air-tight containers
Meal prep for Ethiopian Platter
Similarly, check meal prep ideas for each of the recipes in the meal prep section.
Recipe card for the Ethiopian salad and platter
Ethiopian Platter
Ingredients
Ethiopian salad
- 1/2 English cucumbers chopped
- 2 tomatoes chopped
- 1 small onion chopped
For Dressing
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp rice wine vinegar or any vinegar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- pepper and salt to taste
Ethiopian vegan platter
Instructions
Ethiopian salad
- Combine olive oil, rice wine vinegar, lemon juice, grated ginger, pepper, and salt to taste in a seperate bowl and keep aside.
- For the salad, before serving, add tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and mix the dressing and toss well.
Ethiopian vegan platter
- On a wide plate, place one Injera. Place the lentils, vegetables, and salad on top of the injera.
Notes
- Do not add all the Injera at the bottom. If you place more Injera the water contents in the side dish make it soggy.
- Make a lentil, vegetable, and salad for a simple platter.
- The time given is not calculated on fermenting Injera.