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Chechebsa
Torn griddle flatbread tossed in warm spiced butter and berbere, with honey
Chechebsa (also called kita firfir) is a breakfast from the Oromia and Wollo regions now loved all over Addis Ababa: a thick wheat flatbread is cooked on a griddle, torn into pieces and tossed in niter kibbeh and berbere, then eaten with honey and a dollop of ayib or yoghurt. It is rich, warming and quick. For a fasting (vegan) version, toss the bread in spiced oil instead of niter kibbeh and skip the yoghurt and honey or use date syrup. Chef's tip: tear the bread while hot with two forks; cold flatbread goes tough and won't soak up the butter.
- Total time
- 25 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
For the kita (flatbread)
To finish
Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 7 oz plain flour and ½ tsp salt, then stir in ¾ cup water to make a thick, soft batter-dough that can just about be spread with a spoon.
2 minStep 2: Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Spread the dough into a round about 1 cm thick. Cook for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden-brown in patches and cooked through; it should feel firm and spring back when pressed.
12 minStep 3: Tear the hot bread into small pieces with two forks.
Step 4: Melt 3 tbsp niter kibbeh in the same pan over a medium-low heat, stir in 1 tsp berbere for 20 seconds, then add the bread and toss for 2 minutes until every piece is glossy and red-flecked. Don't let the butter brown before the bread goes in, which is a common mistake.
2 minStep 5: Pile onto plates, drizzle with 2 tbsp honey and serve with 3 ½ oz ayib or thick yoghurt.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 520 kcal
- Protein
- 10 g
- Carbs
- 80 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 3 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does chechebsa take?
- About 25 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 2 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of honey?
- Maple syrup or golden syrup, same amount.
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