Category Archives: Ethiopian food

On a Quest to Preserve Traditional Ethiopian Spices

It is hard to overstate the importance of spice blends in Ethiopian dishes. Far from adding a sprinkle of flavor at the end of cooking, they constitute the deep soul of the cuisine, and their creation is considered an art. Fetlework Tefferi of Oakland’s Cafe Colucci is on a quest to preserve and promote traditional spice harvesting in her native Ethiopia. Continue reading

Posted in Ethiopian food, Immigrants' stories | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Ancient Ethiopian Cuisine Honored with a Limited Run At Guest Chef

I’m perched on one of five bar seats with a ringside view of the open kitchen at The Guest Chef in Oakland, where Selome Haileleoule and sous chef Showit Woldu adorn injera draped platters with mounds of fragrant spiced stews … Continue reading

Posted in Ethiopian food, vegetarian food | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Drink up the Culture at a Traditional Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

Invited to attend a traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremony, I smell the incense, sip the coffee and share in the centuries-old ritual. Continue reading

Posted in Ethiopian food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Saying Yes to Marcus Samuelsson’s Memoir, “Yes, Chef”

Interview with Marcus Samuelsson, the award-winning Ethiopian/Swedish chef and cookbook author who spent two days last week in the Bay Area, being fêted at Camino and Jardinière, for his new memoir, “Yes, Chef,”….Fried Yardbird (chicken) recipe included! Continue reading

Posted in African American Food, Ethiopian food, Scandinavian food, Sweden | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Eat with Your Hands for a Sensuous, Intimate, Mindful Meal

Eating with the hands is more than just a way to maneuver food to the mouth. It embodies cultural values including, a sensuous connection to the food, the feeling of sharing and community, practicality avoiding waste, even prolonging a delicious meal by enjoying the lingering aroma of it on the fingers. Many cultures, such as Indian, Arab and African have dined this way for thousands of years. In a video-clip, the writer receives a hands-on lesson in eating with the hands — Moroccan style.
Continue reading

Posted in Ethiopian food, Indian food, Morocco, Politeness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Ten Places to Master Piroshkis, Paella or Pad Thai: Ethnic Cooking Classes Around the Bay Area

As I walked up the stairs to Kitchen on Fire’s spacious Berkeley loft, an inviting aroma of toasting cumin laid out an olfactory welcome mat. Chefs Olivier Said and MikeC., co-owners and culinary over-achievers, have a book coming out and … Continue reading

Posted in Ethiopian food, Indian food, Italy, Malaysian food, Morocco, Spain, Thai food, vegetarian food, Vietnamese food | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment