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Senafich (Ethiopian mustard seed paste)
Senafich: ground mustard seed whipped with water, lemon, ginger and oil into a sharp paste
On Ethiopian fasting platters there is often one little dab of yellow among the reds and greens: senafich, a punchy mustard paste that clears the nose and cuts through the oil of the wats. Brown or yellow mustard seed is ground, mixed with warm water and left to rest, which takes the bitterness away, then beaten with lemon, oil, ginger and garlic until it is smooth and creamy. It is served with injera, shimbra asa and boiled vegetables, and some cooks thin it into a sauce for raw chillies. A common mistake is serving it straight after mixing, when it is harsh and bitter; let it stand for at least an hour (it is even better the next day). Chef's tip: use warm water rather than boiling for the soak; very hot water kills the mustard's heat and leaves it flat.
- Total time
- 15 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
- 2 ⅛ oz brown or yellow mustard seedsor 50 g mustard powder
- ½ cup warm water
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp fresh gingerfinely grated
- 1 garlic clovefinely grated
- ½ tsp salt
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What you'll need
Spices & pantry
Fresh ingredients (2)
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Grind 2 ⅛ oz brown or yellow mustard seeds to a fine powder in a spice grinder, then sieve out the coarsest husks.
2 minStep 2: Stir in ½ cup warm water to make a smooth paste, cover and leave for at least 1 hour, or overnight in the fridge, to mellow.
60 minStep 3: Beat in 3 tbsp lemon juice, 3 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp fresh ginger, 1 garlic clove and ½ tsp salt with a small whisk for 2 minutes until creamy and slightly paler. Add a spoon more water if it is thicker than mustard from a jar.
2 minStep 4: Keep in a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 75 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 2 g
- Fat
- 7 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does senafich (Ethiopian mustard seed paste) take?
- About 15 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Is it very spicy?
- It has some heat. Use less chilli for a milder version, or more if you like it hot.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of brown or yellow mustard seeds?
- Cumin seeds, same amount (different flavour, same crackle).
- What can I use instead of lemon juice?
- Lime juice, same amount.
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