8.08.2012

make my last meal from Eritrea



My most recent food obsession is Eritrean and Ethiopian food. I am the kind of person who will try almost anything once. (No monkey brains, no live octopus.) And because of this I've come to love food from many different cultures. Thai, Indian, Cambodian, Somali, Greek, and Caribbean foods are some of my favorites, but I had never tried Eritrean or Ethiopian food before this summer, even though one of my best friends in high school was Ethiopian and there are supposedly some great Ethiopian restaurants in Chicago.

The first time we went to Asmara Restaurant in Cambridge I was on the brink of starvation and not a very pleasant person to be around. My mood softened as they told me they could make their teff based injera bread gluten free for me. Ding ding ding; we had a winner. Top that off with the best salad I've ever tasted--no exaggeration--and I, of course, wanted to go back the very next day. We've actually been back twice since, which is a lot of restaurant going for us, since we usually prefer to save money and eat healthier by cooking at home.

They brought out warm, floral scented wet towels for us to clean our hands with before we ate and then we watched and listened to Ethiopian music during the meal. I love the mixture of light sweetness, biting flavors and spiciness that Eritrean fare offers. There were so many colors, smells and textures to experience and we got to eat with our hands at a basket-like table.  It was the sort of experience that doesn't require words. At least no more words than a mumbled, "Sooo good" and moans of contentment throughout the meal.

11 comments:

  1. Mmm, sounds delicious! As a recovered picky eater I absolutely love trying new things. It's crazy how many different cuisines there are that are amazing.

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    1. I used to think tomatoes were gross and wouldn't touch mushrooms so I know what you mean.

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  2. Lovely, colourful pictures and I want to try this food now!
    I'm a very curious person, I love to discover new cultures and food is definately an important part of it! My parents are a French-Moroccan couple, so I've been used to trying and mixing different things very early.
    Thank you for your lovely comment, I will come back around here ;)
    xx

    http://highlybeloved.blogspot.fr/

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  3. I've actually never had Ethiopian food - it's on my list of cuisines to try. Have you had Malaysian food before? It's one of my recent favourites

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    1. I've never had Malaysian food, but I'm always down to try something new. I'll have to check if there are any restaurants in our area.

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  4. I've neer had Ethiopian food but by the looks of your pictures it looks DELISH!!!

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  5. I love the colours! I have to try Ethiopian food.

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  6. It looks delicious and now I want to try it!! I should only find an ethiopian restaurant...

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  7. I loooove Ethiopian food -- so good is right. :)

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  8. what fun pictures! all of this food looks scrumptious!
    xo TJ

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  9. Oh yum!
    I've never tried Ethiopian or Indian food- both of which I'd like to! Thanks for sharing :)
    Eat Cake

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Thanks for your nice words. I appreciate them so much.