Garlic and Ginger Kitfo

Ingredients

• 1 lb extra-lean ground beef (top round or sirloin)
• 4 tbsp niter kibbeh (Ethiopian spiced clarified butter)
• 1.5 tbsp mitmita (spiced chili powder)
• 2 tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
• 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced into a paste
• 0.5 tsp kosher salt
• 0.25 tsp cardamom powder (korerima)
• 0.5 cup ayib (Ethiopian cottage cheese)(optional)
• 1 cup gomen (collard greens)(optional)
• 3 pieces injera bread

Instructions

1. 1

   Place the lean ground beef in a large mixing bowl and ensure it is at room temperature.

2. 2

   In a small saucepan, melt the niter kibbeh over low heat until it is completely liquid but not bubbling.

3. 3

   Stir the grated ginger and minced garlic into the warm butter and let them steep for 1 minute to release their aromatics.

4. 4

   Whisk the mitmita, salt, and cardamom into the butter mixture until a smooth, spicy oil forms.

5. 5

   Pour the warm spiced butter over the beef and use a wooden spoon or gloved hands to mix thoroughly until the meat is evenly coated.

6. 6

   For 'leb leb' (slightly cooked), transfer the mixture to a pan over very low heat for 2 minutes just until warm; for traditional kitfo, serve raw.

7. 7

   Transfer the kitfo to a serving platter and garnish with sides of ayib and gomen.

8. 8

   Serve immediately with fresh injera used as a utensil to scoop the meat.