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Bula (enset starch porridge with spiced butter and ayib)
Bula: silky porridge of fine enset starch, finished with niter kibbeh and fresh ayib
Bula is the finest part of the enset plant, a white starch that settles out when the pulp is squeezed, and in Sidama and Gurage homes it is cooked into a smooth, wobbly porridge for honoured guests, new mothers and anyone feeling weak. Whisked into water and stirred until glossy and translucent, it is very mild and slightly elastic, then topped with melted niter kibbeh, crumbled ayib and a pinch of mitmita for warmth. It is eaten for breakfast or as a light supper, often with coffee. Dried bula is sold in Ethiopian shops; tapioca starch is the closest stand-in. Lumps are the common mistake, so always slake the starch in cold water first and whisk as it heats. Chef's tip: keep stirring right to the end; bula thickens suddenly and catches on the base of the pan in seconds.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 2
Ingredients
- 2 ⅞ oz bula (enset starch)or tapioca starch
- ¾ cup cold water
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 tbsp niter kibbehEthiopian spiced butter, see our recipe; or unsalted butter with a pinch of cardamom
- 2 ⅞ oz ayibcrumbled; see our recipe, or ricotta
- ¼ tsp mitmita (optional)or 0.5 tsp cayenne plus a pinch of ground cardamom and clove
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Whisk 2 ⅞ oz bula (enset starch) into ¾ cup cold water in a bowl until completely smooth.
Step 2: Bring 1 ¼ cups water and 1 pinch salt to a simmer in a saucepan over a medium heat.
3 minStep 3: Pour in the starch mixture in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Keep stirring for 6–8 minutes over a low heat until it turns thick, glossy and translucent and pulls away from the sides.
7 minStep 4: Spoon into bowls, make a hollow in the top and pour in 2 tbsp niter kibbeh.
1 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 320 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 34 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does bula (enset starch porridge with spiced butter and ayib) take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 5 minutes to prepare and 15 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.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
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