SpiceStop : Berbere

Berbere is an Ethiopian spice mix. The basic ingredients are chilies, cardamom, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, cloves, allspice, ajwain, nutmeg, ginger and nutmeg - the proportions I presume depend on who's making it!

This berbere is made of :

12 dried chilies
9 cardamom pods, bruised
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp fenugreek seeds
9 cloves
1 tsp allspice berries
2 tsp whole black peppercorns
1 tsp ajwain seeds
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
2 tsp salt

Dry roast ingredients except for nutmeg and ginger, until fragrant - around 2minutes in medium heat. Let cool, then tip into a spice grinder, blitz until it becomes a fine powder, then mix in the nutmeg and ginger. Store in an airtight container (or use immediately!)

[ For great Ethiopian dishes, try The Abyssinian at Kensington. If you don't feel like eating with your hands and sharing your food, you may want to think twice though. ]