Ethiopian Chickpeas Fish Stew (Yeshinbera Assa Wot)

This is one of Ethiopian exotic dish. The literal meaning of Yeshinbra Assa is chickpeas fish but there is no fish inside the dish except the design which looks like fish. We prepare this dish, when we have a special occasion during Lent time. It is my mother's favorite dish.

Ingredients

4 cups spiced chickpeas flour
4 cups red onions or shallots (thinly chopped)
1 ½ cups hot red chili powder (berbere) *
5 cups water or more
2 cups vegetable or corn oil
1 tablespoon fresh garlic or 1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon cardamom (korerima)*
¼ teaspoon black cumin*
½ teaspoon fresh ginger-root juice
Salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation
1st Step: In a medium bowl, combine the spiced chickpeas flour, salt, and ½ cup of oil; gently mix the ingredients together adding water slowly until the dough is smooth;

2nd Step: Spread the dough on a baking sheet using cookie scooping tools; shape them as fish or as desired;

3rd Step: Bake the chickpeas cookies for 25 minutes or until golden brown;

4th Step: In meantime, in medium pot, sauté the onion using one cup of water by adding two tablespoons each time until the onion is golden brown and soft;

5th Step: Add one cup of water to the cooked onion, hot red chili powder, garlic, ginger, black cumin, and stir it well; add 1½ cups of oil, stir for 15 minutes;

6th Step: Add three cups of water (or more if need); Cook for 15 minutes;

7th Step: To the boiling sauce, add the baked chickpeas cookies; stir and cook, in a lower heat, for 20 minutes or until it simmers;

8th Step: Add cardamom, salt and black pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

9th Step: Keep it in the refrigerator and serve it cold with Injera (Ethiopian Flat Bread) or bread of your choice.

Serving 10 or more.

* You will find these spices in Ethiopian or Indian shops/groceries.

For nutritional facts of this recipe please visit http://www.recipezaar.com/415801. For vitamin content please click on "Print Recipe" on aforementioned site.