Ethiopian Tomato Salad

Ingredients

• 4 large tomatoes, diced 4 large tomatoes, diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon berbere spice 1 teaspoon berbere spice
• 1/2 teaspoon mitmita spice 1/2 teaspoon mitmita spice
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish Fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 6g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the diced tomatoes, chopped red onion, and diced green bell pepper.
2. 2.
   In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, berbere spice, mitmita spice, and salt.
3. 3.
   Pour the dressing over the tomato mixture and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
4. 4.
   Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Before serving, garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tomatoes — Choose ripe and juicy tomatoes for the best flavor. If they are not in season, you can use cherry tomatoes or canned diced tomatoes as a substitute.
• Berbere spice — If you can't find berbere spice, you can make your own by combining paprika, cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic, and other Ethiopian spices.
• Mitmita spice — Mitmita is a spicy Ethiopian spice blend. If you can't find it, you can substitute it with cayenne pepper or chili powder.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the dressing.
• Letting the salad marinate for a longer time enhances the flavors even more.
• Serve the salad chilled for a refreshing experience.
• Adjust the amount of spices according to your preference for spiciness.
• Add some diced cucumber or avocado for additional texture and flavor.

Serving advice

Ethiopian Tomato Salad is best served as a side dish alongside traditional Ethiopian dishes like Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew) or Kitfo (Ethiopian steak tartare). It can also be enjoyed as a topping for injera or as a salsa-like dip with crispy bread.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, serve the Ethiopian Tomato Salad in a shallow bowl or on a platter. Garnish it with a sprinkle of berbere spice and a few fresh cilantro leaves. The vibrant colors of the salad will make it visually appealing and inviting.