Homemade Injera (and a Baker’s Delight Giveaway!)

A homemade Ethiopian meal: Kitfo, Raafu, Fuul on freshly made Injera

Here in Portlandia, a city resplendent with good food, we have our choice of tasty Ethiopian restaurants. In fact, we have so many that I choose a different one, depending on the item on the menu I’m most craving and who does that item best. If I want the yummiest Fuul (or I’m in a hurry and want a quick but awesome buffet), I go to Enjoni Cafe — plus they have this very cool coffee ceremony that is totally worth it. If I want the best Kitfo in town and a great family feeling, I head to Dalos (here’s my reviewfrom my days a food critic). If want lamb and spot-on lentils, I hit Sengatera Ethiopian Restaurant and if I am dying for a great chicken Sambusa I go to Horn of Africa. (And that’s only half of what Portland has to offer in Ethiopian fare.) 

But sometimes, you just want to hang out at home (or your budget requires that you hang out at home) and for those times, I decided to embark on a bit of Ethiopian home cooking in my home. Today’s post will be injera but in the days that follow, I will supply you with the rest of these knock-out, homemade recipes for Kitfo, Fuul and Raafu (as pictured above.) (more…)

The Best Gluten-Free Pizza Crust EVER!

Psssst. . .come here. You want in on a secret? You want the recipe for the BEST tasting gluten-free pizza crust that will EVER pass your lips? Ok — well, listen — this crust is NOT really a secret. In fact, it’s been posted on countless sites BUT not with this method — I do one thing different from everybody else but this one thing, makes ALL the difference. So if you’ve tried a crust like this before and had it FAIL because it ended up soggy or you had to eat it with a fork, stay tuned for the recipe and the one simple change that makes all the difference. (more…)

Dark Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes: Once you Go Black, You Never Go Back

Black Onyx Chocolate Lava Cakes

There is nothing quite like the dark. In the dark you can hide all manner of sins and indiscretions. The dark is where our deepest yearnings live, those much too black to bring out into the light of day. Those things so unspeakably pleasurable that we never dare let the words loose from our lips — even in a whisper. The secret life of the dark, can be exhilarating, damning, or take us down a path that’s inescapable.

This is true of cocoa too. (more…)

World of Cocoa: Holy Mole! on Roasted Veggies

As our journey into the world of cocoa continues, you have to know what’s coming next. I mean, how could I explore cocoa — with a fully stocked spice company, like Savory Spice Shop backing me up and NOT make Mole? I’d have to be stupid or crazy and though, I may sometimes be the latter, I am NOT the former. And as a former Central Valley Cali-girl with parents who grew up in Los Alamitos, CA, I’ve had enough immersion into all things auténtico to be in the know.  So, of course I whipped up some of the yummiest Mole just for you. (more…)