Foodie Blogroll

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Berbere, Michigan Part I and a New Puppy

Hi, I am back! From our visit to Michigan and  back to school getting ready for the kids on Monday! 
Before I left for my trip I blended some more spice mixtures. Here I tried berbere, it's an Ethiopian spice blend that every family has there own recipe, and it's used in many dishes like their stew and for meats and such.
While I was off for the summer I was able to organize most of my spices and label the stainless steel tins that I like to use, and fill them with fresh spices. This made it easier to gather all the spices that I needed for the blends. I am actually happy to cross at least one thing from my long list that I wanted to get done over the summer.
First you toast the whole spices that you have like cardamom pods, allspice berries, peppercorn, cumin, cloves, chilies, coriander, fenugreek seeds (I didn't have the seeds just powder).

  • 1 tablespoon coriander seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
  • 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 12 cardamom pods
  • 2 dried de arbol chilies stemmed and deseeded (you can do this to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon or 6 whole allspice berries
Lightly toast the seeds in a tiny skillet and let cool before grinding them. Remove the shells from the cardamom pods, and if you don't like it too spicy remove the seeds from the chilies. Grind them all together in a spice grinder and add to the remaining powdered spices.

  • 3 tablespoons paprika
  • 2 teaspoon dried onion flakes
  • 1 teaspoon garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon salt
Mix together well and store in an air tight container.

I used berbere in my meatballs and I really enjoyed this flavor...even in my lunch the next day! Use it on eggs, in soups and stews and to season roasts, and I'm sure it would go well on veggies too!


A few vacation photos.
Sharing a little of my Michigan trip. Here we are in Grand Haven, Michigan  on the west coast right on Lake Michigan. W

61 comments:

  1. the beaches look so nice there and happy you had a good trip your new dog is adorable hugs

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  2. I'm sure you had a great time during your last trip. Seems like life has been keeping us busy for some time. Hopefully, we chat more often. ((hugs))
    Enjoy & have a great week ahead.
    Blessings
    Kristy

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    1. Kristy, yes we are both so busy! I miss our chats, we'll definitely have to do it again soon!

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  3. Welcome, Mika! She will bring much joy to your life...adorable!!!

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  4. Michigan's coast is so beautiful.
    hallo Mika!

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    1. Yes Michigan has so many beautiful coasts. It was voted most beautiful in America! :)

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  5. Welcome back, looks like you had fun! I love spice mixes.....and this berbere sounds great.

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  6. Dear Lyndsey, What a great post...it looks like you had a wonderful time! The pictures are beautiful as well. Mika looks like a sweetheart...she will bring so much happiness to you!

    You spice mixture sounds like something I would like. I love playing around with my spices, creating new flavors. Blessings my dear, your friend, Catherine xo

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    1. Thank you Catherine, I always like hearing from you!

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  7. Dear Lindsey, I am so very sorry to learn that Tucker passed away. Loosing a pet is hard. It's good though that he got to live for 16 years. I am sure you will keep many treasured memories of him. So welcome to Mika, who looks absolutely adorable and who I am sure is a joy. Border collies are very energetic and intelligent. Do you know how many border collies it takes to change a light bulb? Just one, but she will re-wire the kitchen while she is at it. LOL.
    I haven't been in touch-I've been away from blogging and reading blogs this summer because of work plus a renovation project we have going on which has turned the house topsy- turvy. This is my first visit to the blogosphere in some months. Michigan looks beautiful!!! A nice place for a rest. Take care and beat wishes.

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    1. Ana, thank you, one nice thing is Mika brings us to remember Tucker every day things she does the same and things she does different. At least we are used to an itelligent, and energetic dog with Tucker. Sometime they are too smart for their own good! Good to have you back!

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  8. What an adorable puppy...congratulations :) I have not been to Michigan since my teens, but used to visit my grandparents in Plymouth during summer vacations :)

    Looks like a lovely vacation, and I just love this spice mix!

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    1. Thanks, we are lucky to vacation in Michigan and visit family the same time! I love playing with spice mixes too!

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  9. Lovely puppy indeed. And a great recipe for berbere! I've been meaning to make some of my own...I love Ethiopian food and we can't get it here in Thailand!

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    1. Thanks! we don't get too much Ethiopian food either so we have to make our own!

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  10. I love the spice blend you made. Very aromatic! That must have been so good in the meatballs. Lovely, sunny photos.

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  11. Your vacation looked relaxing and peaceful. Plus, your puppy is adorable! Love those eyes.

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    1. I think those eyes will get her out of trouble often! :D

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  12. I am so jealous!! The food looks good :)

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  13. Ahhhhhh! what a gorgeous puppy she is! I am sure your family will have so many precious moment with her. Someday I will have a puppy as my kids are begging for one. Someday...

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    1. I wasn't ready for another dog so soon, but my husband wanted a puppy and we fell in love with her the first time we saw her.

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  14. Lyndsey!! I am in love with Mika already!! Look at that face...what's not to love?! Tucker brought so much joy to you and your family, and I'm sure Mika will too. I look forward to seeing pictures of Mika as she grows. What a wonderful surprise after your lovely Michigan trip.

    The berbere spice I bet it smells so good with all those wonderful spices. I would love to try make some and maybe can use as a rub to roast meat.

    Oh yes, Birthday wishes to you this August ;-) and yes, you should think about visiting Malaysia! And you should definitely let me know if you do !cheers !!

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    1. Jocelyn, yes our house was pretty lonely without Tucker. Mika makes us smile and we think about Tucker often.

      The berebere is kept close to my stove and I tend to reach for it a lot!

      Thanks for the birthday wishes...of course at my age it's okay if I skip it!

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  15. Love all your sunny photos! Your new puppy is so gorgeous and I'm happy for you and your family that you have found a new best "friend".

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    1. Yes, she makes us smile and keeps us busy! Thanks!

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  16. Aww Mika is adorable!!!

    I love berbere...such a great spice blend!

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  17. My Mom, daughter and I just went to Grand Haven for a weekend this summer - it was wonderful - the Lake Michigan water was so clean! Aw, cute puppy - love his blue eyes. Our black lab is going on 13 years - his naps are longer and walks are shorter these days. :(

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    1. We just love Grand Haven too. Yes, our Tucker was able to sleep a lot his last years...it helped that his hearing was less, not as much woke him up. But we just loved him and he still had that "puppy-I want to play look" on his face until the very end!

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  18. Awwwww! A new puppy, she is so cute. And she has a raccoon face, so you guys picked a perfect name for her. As for the berbere, I've never tried it. And I do have everything to make it, so one day when I'm bored I'll mix some up.

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    1. Thanks, as for the spice blends it's so nice to mix them yourselves and you can control the quality, quantity and salt! I know you'll like it Bo.

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  19. Hi Lyndsey, sorry I haven't come around to comment until now!
    Been neglectful with my comments lately!

    I love your Ethiopian spice mix, such a blend of great spice additions. Love your little meatballs in your cute lunch box...thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos of your vacation in Michigan. So nice to visit family and friends from your home town!

    Your puppy is so adorable...looks like a little "rock star" puppy with the patches around his eyes, and his heart shaped nose!

    My heart goes out to Tucker, and feel a sadness for him. It is so hard to part with a beloved pet, after all those years of being in the family. May his memory be a blessing! xo

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    1. Thank you for your condolences, I know you know what we are going through. Mika does bring us good memories of Tucker and new memories for us to cherish.

      BTW, no worries about a late visit...I know exactly how it goes sometimes...I myself have to get cracking and visit and post more. (Kicking myself into gear now!!)

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  20. I love how you organized your spices! And nice to meet you Mika! It's a very common Japanese name too - I love that name. :-) Glad to hear you had a good vacation with family!

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    1. Oh, that's cool, I know my daughter will love to hear that Mika is a popular Japanese name too.

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  21. I love those stainless steel tins for the spices. Everything looks so neat and organised. Great looking bento too! Thanks for sharing all your lovely photos. Yes, it is funny to take pictures of your own hometown. I get stares in Malaysia :)

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    1. Yes, you must of gone through the same thing I was when visiting where we grew up. They didn't stare so much because it was a big tourist area in the summer...so I fit right in.

      I bought the stainless steel tins from The Rolling Pin store when it went out of business in our mall. I have tried regular tins, but the lids were hard to get off and they didn't hold up well in our weather and use in the kitchen. I am sticking to my stainless steel tins from now on, it keeps the light out and they stack well and hold up great. I found a new place to get the smaller ones, now I have to find someplace to get the large one.

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  22. hi lyndsey, so you were on vacation! is michigan your hometown? when i read that you said it's funny that you're taking photos of a place that you've been there growing up, i also think it happens to me as well. I dont think i've really taken good photos of the town i'm living now..wonder why..haha. sorry to hear about Tucker, now that you hv mika, i'm sure he will bring you much joy like tucker did.

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    1. Thanks Lena, Mika is a joy to have around and she does remind us of good memories of Tucker.

      Yes, I am from Michigan, grew up in Grand Rapids and spent many summers in Grand Haven on the beach. I have lived in Florida now for 22 years, and it's nice to have family visit each winter (they don't like our hot Florida summers, but this year they've been hotter than we are) It's nice to go back, but so much has changed.

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  23. I'm getting all homesick again .... did I mention I was a beach bum/babe? It's so nice to look at sea and sand pictures.
    Awww ...Mika is such an apt name. She's got a serious amount of eyeliner on, so goth .... gorgeous girl! :)

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    1. Yes, I do remember hearing that you were a beach bum/babe!!! So you must visit me here in Florida too, we are just minutes from the voted number one beach in America last year...and about 45 minutes from the no. 1 beach this year.

      As for Mika, I'm going with what Elisabeth said...she just a rock star! :)

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  24. So glad you had a nice vacation and love your adorable little Mika. Stay safe in the storm this weekend!

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  25. Dear Lyndsey, What a nice post. I can hear the excitement in your voice as you tell about your vacation. I am so glad that you had a good time. It is great that you made these memories.
    Your new family member is beautiful. Mika has beautiful eyes and is very lucky to be with you. She will get all the love she deserves.
    Blessings dearest. Catherine xo

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  26. Such pretty photos, Lyndsey. looks like it was a relaxing time. Oh-am in love with Mika:)Those sweet eyes and that face. So full of personality. Tucker looks also like such a doll. You were blessed to have Tucker all those years:)xx

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  27. the spices mix you made sound so good...Thanks for sharing all nice photos from your trip.

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  28. Hi Lyndsey, thank you for sharing all your beautiful photos. Lovely beach, look like you had a great holiday.

    The mix spices look so good, thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Have a nice day, regards.

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  29. HI LINDSEY! FIRST OF ALL, THANKS FOR YOUR VISIT AND KIND COMMENT, I HOPE YOU TRY AND LIKE MY SAUCE, IT'S SIMPLE AND EVERYBODY LOVES IT.

    THIS BEREBERE MIXTURE IS JUST PERFECT, THE KIND OF THING I LOVE TO PREPARE IN MY KITCHEN, BUT I HAVE ONLY TRIED WITH SWEET SPICES, LIKE CINAMONN, CLOVES, AND SO ON. I WILL FOLLOW YOUR RECIPE.

    I LOVED THE PICTURES FROM YOUR VACATIONS. I WOULD NEVER HAVE THOUGHT THERE ARE SUCH NICE SAND BEACHES IN MICHIGAN LAKES, BEAUTIFUL.

    AND TUCKER...WHAT CAN I SAY ABOUT THAT SWEET TENDER LOOK IN HIS EYES. I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, I JUST LOST MY "TUNA", A 12 OLD YEAR BOXER. I'M STILL NOT READY FOR ANOTHER DOG. BUT LET ME TELL YOU I HAVE BEEN THINKING OF A BOARDE COLLIE.

    REGARDS FROM CHILE

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  30. Thank you for those picture. I always wanted to go to Michigan while living in Ohio.

    It is weird how our pets become so much a part of our lives.
    You new dog is adorable.

    Mely

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  31. Thanks for stopping by the WhistleStop Cafe... love your photos~ that puppy is precious!

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  32. Lyndsey your new puppy is soo cute!! and I love the pictures!

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  33. I like how you store the spices in stainless steel jars and containers. Wish I had that!

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  34. I LOVE that you made your own berbere mix!! Tucker is ADORABLE!! Welcome to the family!

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  35. We had a border collie for 10 years...His name was Twist and he died last year and it was a sad time for my family. Your puppy is so cute,Lindsey!Good luck with him :)It is a wonderful breed!

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  36. Ha! Gratuitous puppy shots...I love them! Welcome to the family Miss Mika! Get ready to be spoiled rotten :)

    And I'm so sorry to hear you DIDN'T make it to Cayman this past weekend. Definitely hit me up the next time you're down and we'll go eat some yummy food together!

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  37. Somehow Tucker's passing got by me, Lyndsey. I'm so sorry. I loved that guy as if I knew him in real life. Your new puppy is adorable. I can't wait to see lots of photos as Mika grows up.

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I would love to hear from you, please share your ideas, tips, stories or any questions or comments. Thanks for stopping by...