Easy 4th of July Weekend Recipes

Just in time for the holiday weekend, I had the opportunity to see Check Eric Adjepong on Good Morning America and I just tried several of his recipes.

During the show, Top Chef Eric Adjepong showcased several easy to follow recipes. See Video link - 

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/video/eric-adjepong-shares-recipes-pop-picnic-71572070

They were easy to follow and was a big hit with family and friends.  I have to admit, I substituted regular grocery store hot peppers for the bonnet peppers, and I just used scallions instead of spring onion bulbs. Give them a try and let me know how it works out for you.

  • Jerk Paste
  • Chicken Kabobs
  • Roasted Fingerlings and Tomato Salad with Sweet Berbere Glaze

 

Jerk Paste:  (Chef Eric Adjepong)

Ingredients:
1/4 cup of lime juice
1/4 cup of dark soy sauce
1 orange rind
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, roughly chopped
8 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
3 spring onions bulbs
2 tablespoons of thyme
2 to 4 scotch bonnet peppers
1 teaspoon pimento seeds (whole allspice)
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
1/4 teaspoon clove powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoon olive oil

Directions:
In a high-speed blender or food processor, add all ingredients except oil. Process on high, slowly drizzle in oil. Season with more lime and salt to taste. Store in a container with a tight lid for up to 2 weeks.

 

Chicken Kabobs: (Chef Eric Adjepong)

Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Directions:
Quickly cure the chicken by filling a large bowl with 1 quart of warm water and 1/4 cup kosher salt.
Stir to combine until most of the salt is absorbed. Add the whole chicken breasts and let them sit in the mixture to brine for 15 minutes or up to 6 hours.
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 15 minutes before using. Cut the chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces.
Add them to a large mixing bowl and add enough jerk paste to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for 15 minutes or overnight. Coat evenly with the olive oil.
Once the grill is hot, place the chicken kabobs evenly on the grill. Cook for 10 to 14 minutes, turning once halfway through, brushing another layer of the jerk sauce on the chicken.
Transfer the kabobs to a clean plate and loosely tent with aluminum foil. Let the chicken rest for at least 5-10 minutes. Then serve warm.

Roasted Fingerlings and Tomato Salad with Sweet Berbere Glaze (Chef Eric Adjepong)

Ingredients:
2 pounds fingerling potatoes, cut lengthwise
⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, divided
Flaky sea salt
1 1/2 lbs of heirloom tomatoes
3/4 cups honey
2 tablespoons of berbere
1 bunch of shallots, minced
1 bunch chives, chopped
Directions:
In a small pot over medium low heat, warm the honey until it's loose and less viscous. Wisk in berbere and shallots and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Slice tomatoes in quarters and salt. Place over paper towels.

In a large straight-sided skillet or a Dutch oven, combine potatoes, lemon juice, kosher salt and 3 tablespoons of butter.

Add cold water just to cover, then bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until potatoes are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Increase heat and boil rapidly until the pan is almost dry, 15 to 20 minutes more.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer about half of the potatoes to a plate and arrange potatoes remaining in a skillet cut-side down in a single layer (you may need to work in a few batches).

Reduce heat to medium and cook potatoes undisturbed until water is evaporated and cut sides of potatoes are deeply browned, 5 to 10 minutes.

Scrape the skillet using a thin metal spatula, to cleanly release potatoes and transfer to a large bowl. Return skillet to medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of butter, and repeat the browning process with reserved potatoes.

After scraping the skillet to release potatoes, return the first batch, along with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to skillet and toss until potatoes are well coated.

Drizzle tablespoons of the berbere honey until well coated.

Add salted tomatoes, garnish with chives and sprinkle with sea salt.

Full article can be found here: here: https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/food/story/top-chef-star-eric-adjepong-shares-recipes-top-71555514

 

**To purchase berbere - click here: 

https://www.redgingerspices.com/collections/feature/products/berbere

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What's New?

We are pleased to announce new additions to our product family.

We now offer:

  • Korerima
  • Mekelesha
  • Brown Lentils
  • Yellow Split Peas

So, what can you do with these?

Well, many home chefs have asked for Korerima so they can make Ethiopian butter, Niter Kibbeh. We are happy to have obliged.

Here is a recipe:
Tip: Make as much as you like. It freezes well.

 

Once you have a batch of butter, you can use it to make many interesting dishes. 

I recommend using it to make Doro Wet. Here is an easy to follow recipe that uses both the Ethiopian butter you recently made as well as Mekelesha.

(Side note - For those wondering, Ethiopia uses a different alphabet, so you will often find multiple ways to spell the same word. Here it is spelled differently)

 

And here is a 3rd recipe to try.'

Marcus Samuelson uses Ethiopian butter (niter kibbeh) in this fried beef stew dish, kinda like a stir fry, but different.

Here is his recipe:
Enjoy!!

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Kolo with Peanuts

By special demand, are pleased to announce that we have Ethiopian Kolo with Peanuts. Our limited supply is running out quickly.

If you are interested, please order today :)

 

Thank you

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Ethiopian Shiro

Shiro is a vegetarian dish with the primary ingredient of crushed chickpeas. Different regions in Ethiopian cook it differently in texture.

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A Taste of coffee

I am still on a coffee kick & was in heaven in my recent trip to Ethiopia, as I got to enjoy freshly roasted and ground coffee every day.

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Introducing - New Product Offerings

I am pleased to share with you our newest product line focused on Coffee!!

I am indeed not just a foodie but also a coffee lover.

Following up on our posting on the Ethiopian Coffee ceremony, we now offer a variety of Rekobet Coffee trays, Jebena Coffee pots as well as incense holders. But, I am most happy to share that you can now purchase hand coffee roasters.

Hope you Enjoy!

 

      

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Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony

We are pleased to announce that we now offer Ethiopian Sidama Single Origin Coffee. 

Coffee is not rushed in Ethiopia. Not so much a grab and go product, but more of a drink to enjoy while you unwind and gather with family and friends. The Ethiopian coffee ceremony can be shared anytime (see article below).

Red Ginger spices, offers coffee, as well as coffee cups and the tray to have your own coffee ceremony at home.

 

Click here to See Article on Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony: 

 

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How to use Berbere pepper

Berbere (Ethiopian Red Pepper) is my absolute favorite spice.

How do I use it?

  • I use it anywhere I would use red pepper.
  • I use it to season my meats. It is a spectacular addition to any meat rub.
  • I use a pinch of it in my spaghetti sauce.
  • I use a pinch of it in my macaroni and cheese.
  • And I use it as a side dipping sauce.
    • This is also referred to as awaze sauce
    • take 2 tablespoons of berbere
    • add 4 tablespoons of high quality olive oil
    • add a teaspoon of water
    • mix
    • set in a small bowl as a condiment to any meal. Especially good with meats.

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