Strangely Delicious

Last Sunday, hubby and I went to an Ethiopian restaurant for the first time.  We really had no idea what to expect.  We both ordered the Vegetarian Combo plate.  I wish I would have taken a photo of it BEFORE I devoured it.  Here's what it looked like after I was VERY full.

There were 5 different vegetables, served on a GIANT plate.  It was the biggest plate I'd ever seen! I have to say I have NEVER tasted such delicious vegetables in my entire life.  My taste buds were in heaven!  The veggies were:

Gomen - Chopped collard greens steamed and tastefully heightened with garlic, jalapeño peppers, and traditional spices.

Fesolia - A mixed vegetable stew of string beans, carrots, tomatoes, and onions deliciously seasoned with garlic, ginger, and turmeric.

Yemisir Wot (spicy) - Red lentil splits slowly cooked in flavorful berbere sauce with red onions and a blend of traditional spices simmered to perfection. 

Tikil Gomen - Lightly spiced cabbage sautéed in a mild sauce.  

Ater Kik - Split peas simmered in a mild and flavorful herb sauce with turmeric.

I am NOT a fan of cabbage but this was fantastic, probably my favorite. The spongy bread that the food was sitting on is called injera.  It has an unusual taste and texture but compliments the food.  The purpose of the injera is to be used as an eating utensil.  You tear a strip off and use it to grab up the food.  It actually works pretty good although I would have preferred traditional silverware.  I really wanted to eat the rest of it because it was a mix of all the flavors but I was just so full it was impossible.  I look forward to going there again!



F