Ethiopian Food: Yum, Yum, Yum!

I love visiting Ethiopia. I love seeing our family, the beautiful land and animals, and to be immersed in a language and culture that is so different than our own. But what I miss most when I come home is this:

The macchiatos. Oh, the delicious, delicious macchiatos. Hot, strong bunna (Ethiopian coffee) topped with foamed milk and sprinkled with cinnamon or chocolate powder, sometimes served with a little cookie and always with a liberal helping of sugar. Just the best.

You can buy coffee pretty much anywhere - a fancy hotel,  tiny hut, a roadside stand, or maybe at this adorable soda shop. 

At the Sheraton, you can have your coffee with a side of a banana split, if you like.

Traditionally coffee beans are roasted and then ground by hand just before brewing.
Here L is grinding the coffee in her family's home. This was the best bunna we had in Ethiopia, hands down. 

A fancy traditional meal- a variety of stews on top a platter of injera (sourdough pancake)
This one includes ground chickpeas, lentils, beef, cheese, salad and stewed greens. 

A very fancy "fasting" platter - all vegan for those observing Orthodox Easter fasting.
On this plate: lentils, beats, salad, chickpeas, peas, stewed greens, eggplant.

The southern regions are known for its beef. Here is a traditional beef stew roasting over a mini open flame. 

Lake Awassa is known for its fish, and here is a large pot of fish soup being prepared right next to the fisherman's market.