Fitfit
A popular Ethiopian breakfast dish or a way to repurpose leftover injera. Torn pieces of injera are tossed with a fragrant spiced butter sauce, often enriched with sautéed onions and berbere spice blend.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 pieces Day-old injera(Slightly stale injera is ideal as it holds its shape better when torn and mixed.)
- 100g Niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter)(If unavailable, unsalted butter can be used, but niter kibbeh provides authentic flavor. Clarify unsalted butter and infuse with spices like cardamom, fenugreek, and turmeric if making your own.)
- 2 tbsp Berbere spice blend(A staple Ethiopian spice mix. Adjust to your spice preference.)
- 1 medium Yellow onion(Finely diced.)
- to taste Salt(Optional, depending on the saltiness of your niter kibbeh and injera.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the injera: Gently tear or cut the day-old injera into bite-sized pieces, roughly 1-2 inches in size. Set aside in a large bowl.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Sauté the onion: Heat the niter kibbeh in a medium saucepan or skillet over medium heat (approx. 175°C / 350°F). Once the butter is melted and shimmering, add the finely diced onion. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Do not let it brown too much.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 3
Add the berbere: Stir in the berbere spice blend into the sautéed onions and niter kibbeh. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are very fragrant. This blooming process enhances their flavor.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Combine and toss: Pour the hot spiced butter and onion mixture over the torn injera in the bowl. Using a spoon or your hands (if comfortable), gently toss the injera to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the flavorful sauce. Continue tossing for about 2-3 minutes until the injera has absorbed some of the moisture and is heated through.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 5
Taste and adjust: Sample a piece of fitfit. If needed, add a pinch of salt. If you prefer it spicier, you can add a little more berbere.
⏱️ 1 minute - 6
Serve: Serve the fitfit warm immediately. It is traditionally enjoyed for breakfast and can be accompanied by ayib (a fresh Ethiopian cheese), a hard-boiled egg, or a simple salad.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Day-old injera is best as it's drier and less likely to become mushy.
- ✓Niter kibbeh is crucial for authentic flavor; try to find it at an African or specialty grocery store.
- ✓Adjust the amount of berbere to control the heat and spice level.
- ✓For a richer dish, consider adding some shredded cooked meat or leftover wot (stew).
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Firfir: This is a common variation where leftover meat stews (wot) are incorporated into the fitfit.
- With scrambled eggs: Serve the fitfit topped with freshly scrambled eggs.
- Vegetarian: Ensure your berbere is vegetarian (some contain meat) and serve with avocado or a side of sautéed vegetables.