Berbere & Chili Mash Steak Dinner

Written by Amani Ali 

As a North African, the warmth of this dish felt like home. Using flavor combinations that pair well together: berbere spice and two types of chili mash, I present you with a complete dinner recipe for berbere rubbed steak with chili mash cabbage and berbere rice.

From left to right: CSG berbere spice blend, stone fruit and chilis, and shiso mash

What is Chili Mash?

Chili mash is a paste made with cooked and fermented chilis. Their spice level can vary depending on the type of peppers and the other ingredients. 

This flavor revolution features…

Chef Sarah Germany Berbere Blend: A salt-free combination of warm spices that coat your tongue with earthy and floral notes, followed by a dry mild heat. 

Chef Sarah Germany Stone Fruit and Chilis: A sweet heat blend of stone fruits, jalapeño, chili de arbol, and habañero. 

Chef Sarah Germany Shiso Chili Mash: A spicy, earthy, acidic chili paste.

Steak seasoned with chili mash and berbere blend

You can use any steak cut that’s meant to be quickly cooked for this recipe. I used two small pieces of tri-tip (1.5lbs) and pounded them flat to cook evenly.

• 1.5lbs tri-tip or another steak option

• 2 tbsp CSG stone fruit and chilis

• 1 tbsp berbere blend

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp salt 

1. (optional) Pound your steak to an even thickness.

2. Salt the meat.

3. Spread the stone fruit and chilis mash on all sides of the steak with the back of a spoon. 

4. Sprinkle berbere blend over the stone fruit. Allow the steak to marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes. 

5. Cook the steak over medium-high heat until it reaches your desired doneness. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. 

Pan-Fried Cabbage with Shiso Chili Mash

• ½ head cabbage, sliced ¼ inch thick

• 1 cup sliced peppers (I had some sliced peppers leftover — yellow bell pepper, half of a poblano, and half of a jalapeño)

• 3 cloves garlic, chopped

• 1 ½ tbsp shiso chili mash

• 2 tbsp olive oil

1. Prep the ingredients by slicing the cabbage and peppers and chopping the garlic.

2. Add the olive oil to a hot pan and throw in the cabbage. Allow it to brown for about 7 minutes before tossing. Add more oil if it is absorbed by the cabbage.

3. Once the cabbage is browned, add the peppers, garlic, and chili mash. The shiso mash is spicy so use it sparingly. I started with 1 tbsp, then added ½ tbsp more after I tasted it. 

4. Let the cabbage continue cooking uncovered until the vegetables are tender, about 10-15 more minutes.

Berbere Rice

• 1 ½ cups rice (I used jasmine)

• 2 ½ cups water

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1 tsp berbere blend

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• ½ tsp salt

1. Combine all the ingredients and cook the rice in a rice cooker or on the stovetop for 17-20 minutes.

Once everything is cooked, plate it up and serve it with yogurt for a tang to cut the richness. You can garnish the rice with herbs like cilantro or parsley if you have them. 

A homey steak dinner seasoned with CSG chili mashes and berbere spice blend served with flavored rice and pan-fried cabbage.

Nutrition Nook: Fenugreek

Fenugreek has been a culinary ingredient since ancient times. It is a main ingredient in berbere spice blends. Studies have shown that it helps regulate blood sugar. In Ethiopia, it is used as a natural treatment for diabetes. 

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