I love the free-form nature of this bread. Since you shape it in the hot pan (move quickly and make sure to not burn your fingers!), it develops a wonderfully irregular texture on the outside, charred in some places and soft in others, making it perfect for mopping up stews and long-cooked vegetables. It’s also delicious straight out of the pan drizzled with a little honey or spiced ghee.
Ways to Adapt this Recipe
Once you master the basic recipe, you can add a few pinches or warm spices to the dough. Any of the spices or spice mixes below will work well here.
CinnamonCuminCorianderFenugreekBerbere, an Ethiopian spice blend
Wet your fingersWork gently but quickly to press the dough out into a circle around the warm pan
What to Serve with Kicha
This flatbread is endlessly versatile. You can enjoy it for breakfast with yogurt, eat it along with stewed greens, stew or just as a snack with butter.
A Little Bit about Eritrea
Eritrea is located along the inlet of the Red Sea and shares borders with Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti. It won its independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a 30-year war. It has nine recognized ethnic groups. The food is heavily influenced by Indian, Arab and Ethiopian cultures.
About “In BiBi’s Kitchen”
“In Bibi’s Kitchen,” written by Somali chef Hawa Hassan with food writer Julia Turshen, explores not only the recipes from eight African countries that touch the Indian Ocean but also the women, communities, and cultures of the region. This book is as valuable in the kitchen as it in the living room casually read page by page. She peppers the book with facts about the different countries and stories of the women who created some of the recipes. It’s the kind of cookbook you keep within arm’s reach so you can reference it often.
More Bread Recipes
How to Make Naan Whole Wheat Bread No Knead Bread Homemade Rye Bread
Cover the skillet and cook until the top of the dough is glossy and the underside is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Carefully flip the bread over, cover, and cook until the second side is browned, another 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the flatbread to the prepared plate, adding the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan, and repeat the process with the remaining dough.
