Nit Ir Qibe Spiced Butter
Transform your cooking with Nit'ir Qibe, or Ethiopian spiced butter—a fragrant and versatile staple that elevates any dish with its rich, aromatic flavor. Made by gently simmering butter with an exquisite blend of warm spices like turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves, alongside fresh herbs, onion, ginger, and garlic, this recipe creates a deeply infused butter that's central to Ethiopian cuisine. Perfect as a base for hearty stews, sautéed vegetables, or as a luxurious finishing touch to roasted meats, this spiced butter is easy to make yet packed with complex, savory notes. Stored in the fridge or freezer, Nit'ir Qibe is your secret weapon for adding bold, authentic Ethiopian flavors to your cooking anytime.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted butter
- 1 small, finely chopped onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon, minced or grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 4 cardamom pods
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 pinch nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon, chopped fresh basil
Instructions
Place the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over low heat and let it melt slowly. Avoid high heat to prevent burning.
Once the butter has melted, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and ginger. Stir occasionally and allow them to cook gently for 3-4 minutes until fragrant.
Add the ground turmeric, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon stick, fenugreek seeds, dried oregano, and a pinch of nutmeg. Stir to combine the spices evenly in the butter.
Add the fresh basil to the mixture and reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Allow the butter to simmer for 15-20 minutes. This process infuses the butter with the rich flavors of the spices and herbs.
Keep an eye on the butter to ensure it does not burn. Skim off any foam that collects on the surface as it simmers.
After simmering, remove the pot from heat and let the butter cool slightly. Strain the spiced butter through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean, heatproof container to remove the solid bits.
Discard the strained solids. Allow the niter kibbeh to cool completely before covering it tightly with a lid.
Store the spiced butter in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month or freeze for longer storage.
Use the Niter Kibbeh as a flavorful base for Ethiopian dishes or to enhance any dish that calls for butter.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
219 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.2 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 15.2 g | 76% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 65 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 3 mg | 0% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 1.6 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.5 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.3 g | ||
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 20 mg | 2% | |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 2% | |
| Potassium | 32 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
