Recipes from Eritrea: Hembesha (Eritrean Bread)

Recipes from Eritrea


Hembesha (Eritrean Bread)

Country: Eritrea
Course: Bread
Makes: 1 loaf



Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 cup lukewarm water
  • 2 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp ground fenugreek seed
  • 1/2 tsp ground coriander seed
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom seed
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp oil or butter
  • 3 3/4 cup flour
  • Dash of white pepper, cayenne, ground ginger (optional)

Directions:

  1. Dissolve the yeast in the water and let stand until frothy. Add the eggs and spices.
  2. Gradually add the flour and knead for 10 minutes on a well-floured surface.
  3. Cover with a damp towel and let rise in a warm place for an hour or two. Punch down and knead again, shaping the dough into a round, flat shape about 3/4 of an inch thick. Put it in an oiled frying pan and let rise again until roughly doubled in size.
  4. Use a fork or knife to make lines in the top of the bread.
  5. Put the pan over a medium to low flame and cover it. It will take about 10 minutes to bake on this side. Once the bottom of the bread is a nice golden color flip it over and let it bake on the other side for about five minutes.
  6. Remove from the pan and spread a little butter over the top. Slice it up in wedges.