Christmas in January: The Magic of Ethiopia & Eritrea
Exclusive Member Recipe: Make your own Berbere Spice Blend at home
Welcome to COOK WITH LERATO!
A warm hello to you, my wonderful community! These letters are my way of celebrating treasured recipes and heartfelt stories from across Africa and their intersection with our lives no matter where you are. I share inspiration from my life in London, my work as an author, broadcaster on television and radio and more. Something to bring sunshine to your home and heart.
This letter is bumper packed with travel inspiration, rich culture and an amazing recipe that I would like you to treasure for many recipes to come, from Ethiopian & Eritrean classics to pasta sauces and more. If you’re not part of our community, what are you waiting for? Hit the subscribe button!
Christmas in January?
Did you know that in Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th - a day of profound spirituality, and heart-warming celebration with family and community?
I’ve long been captivated by the rich culture and vibrant cuisine of this region. Celebrating Christmas here, with its unique traditions, sits high on my bucket list. Imagine the aroma of Doro Wat, the enchanting Berbere-spiced stew, bubbling away in the kitchen; stacks of Injera, warm and freshly rolled from the pan; spiced chickpeas, braised greens, and countless other delicious dishes served to break a 40+ day fast.
It is not lost on me that while we might celebrate with abundance of food, many in Tigray, a fiercely contested region, located in the Northern region of Ethiopia and central region of Eritrea are suffering and have been for many years due to the effects of war and natural problems such as drought and crop failure. Read more about the battle for Tigray. Join me in staying educated and celebrating traditions that we need to keep alive long before our time on earth.
To honour these beautiful traditions, I’m inspired to share some cherished recipes from my cookbook AFRICANA alongside what I like to call AFRICANA EXTRA. These include vegan alternatives that we enjoy at home and in my classes where vegans and vegetarians have always been welcome. Recipes that will bring the magic of Ethiopian and Eritrean feasts into your home.
Have you visited Ethiopia, Eritrea or enjoyed food from the region? Share your experience, favourite restaurant or a chef we should know about.
Christmas in Ethiopia & Eritrea: A Celebration of Faith and Tradition
Christmas, known as Genna in Ethiopia, is a sacred occasion deeply rooted in religious tradition. Celebrated on January 7th, according to the Orthodox calendar, Genna is a time of reflection, community, and festive gatherings that highlight Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage. And the same applies to their brothers and sisters next door in Eritrea.
Unlike the commercialized celebrations often seen elsewhere, Ethiopian Christmas revolves heavily around spirituality. The day begins with an early morning church service, where worshippers, dressed in traditional white garments called Habesha Kemis, gather for prayer and hymns. Churches are illuminated with candles, and the priests chant in beautiful rhythms, setting the tone for a holy night of celebration.
Fasting and Feasting
Leading up to Genna, many Orthodox Christians observe a 43-day fast, abstaining from meat and dairy. When Christmas finally arrives, the breaking of the fast is marked by a grand feast. One of the most beloved dishes is Doro Wat, a richly spiced chicken stew served with Injera, Ethiopia’s iconic sourdough flatbread. Other dishes include lentil stews and freshly roasted coffee, brewed in a traditional jebena as part of an elaborate coffee ceremony. If you attended my book launch in Brighton, you will have experienced a coffee ceremony, a very special moment that remains etched in my heart. If you would like to see this first hand, find an Ethiopian or Eritrean restaurant in your part of the world and indulge in this most special ceremony or join me in my new Ethiopian & Eritrean Masterclasses in London, where a private coffee ceremony will be created for us before enjoying a day of spices and food that you will love to recreate at home.
The Joy of Community
Genna is also a time for community games and festivities. A traditional sport, also called “genna,” resembling field hockey, is played in villages, symbolizing the shepherds’ joy at the birth of Christ. Families come together to exchange blessings rather than gifts, emphasizing love and unity over materialism.
Ethiopian Christmas is a reminder of the profound beauty of simplicity and faith. For travellers, experiencing Genna is an opportunity to witness an ancient culture celebrating the holiday in its purest form, where the focus is on connection, gratitude, and devotion.
Bringing that magic home, where you are!
And I hope and pray that soon, you and I will share memorable experiences from Ethiopia and Eritrea. For now you can learn to make your own home-made Berbere Spice Blend - the magical spice used in the famous Doro Wat (Berbere Stew) and my hack for speeding up the process when pressed for time or ingredients. Once you master making the spice blend you will discover limitless possibilities for its use, from the enchanting Berebere Stew to pasta sauces and more.
Let’s get cooking!
Where to find ingredients?
Below the recipe is a downloadable compilation of stores and suppliers for some of our favourite ingredients from the Africana Cookbook Pantry. Guess what, we've compiled a list of suppliers from London and beyond, offering everything from Teff to plantains. We will update this working file as we go on, so please share your favourite store or supplier with us so we can update the list. You can also find some of my favourite ingredients in this link below.
Berbere Spice Blend
MAKES ABOUT 200G