Kitfo

Name: Kitfo
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs lean ground beef; 4 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter); 1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 1/2 tsp mitmita spice powder (or cayenne pepper); 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 tbsp fresh lime juice; 4 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Traditional Ethiopian appetizer of finely minced raw beef mixed with spiced clarified butter, ginger, and herbs. Tender and bold. WARNING: Raw beef carries serious food safety risks. Source only from a trusted butcher with strict food safety standards. Grind immediately before service. Consume immediately. NOT safe for pregnant women, children, elderly, or immunocompromised persons.

15 minEasyServes 4380 cal/serving

EthiopianAppetizerNo-CookStandard

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Ingredients

1.5 lbs lean ground beef
4 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter)
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp mitmita spice powder (or cayenne pepper)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
4 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions

1

CRITICAL SAFETY: Raw beef carries risk of E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. This recipe is NOT safe for pregnant women, children, elderly, or immunocompromised persons.
2

Source the 1.5 lbs lean ground beef only from a trusted butcher with documented food safety practices. Request freshly ground beef from a single batch, ground immediately before purchase.
3

Grind or mince the 1.5 lbs lean ground beef IMMEDIATELY before preparation - never use pre-ground meat. If not grinding yourself, prepare within 15 minutes of grinding.
4

Work quickly. Place the freshly minced meat in a chilled mixing bowl.
5

Add the warm 4 tbsp niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter) to the meat.
6

Add 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp mitmita spice powder (or cayenne pepper), 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
7

Fold gently to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat.
8

Add 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and fold gently once more.
9

Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with 4 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.
10

Serve and consume immediately. Do not store or reheat raw beef.

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Questions

What is Kitfo?

Why fold instead of stir in Kitfo?

Step 7 reads: "Fold gently to combine, being careful not to overwork the meat." Folding keeps the air you just beat in. Stirring at step 7 would knock it out and the result would come out dense.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Kitfo?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Kitfo uses 1.5 lbs lean ground beef.

How hot is Kitfo?

Moderately. The heat in Kitfo comes from 1/2 tsp mitmita spice powder (or cayenne pepper). For a milder plate, halve the spice; nothing else in the method changes. For more, add it at the table rather than in the pot, so everyone sets their own level.

How many calories are in Kitfo?

One serving (the recipe makes 4) is about 380 calories, with 38 g protein, 2 g carbohydrate and 24 g fat, plus 320 mg sodium.

How long does Kitfo keep?

Refrigerate what is left of Kitfo within two hours and eat it within three days. It is served cold; there is nothing to reheat. Leafy parts wilt first; store them apart if you can.

Serve it with

Niter Kibbeh sauce
Tej drink
Red Chile Sauce sauce

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