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Gored Gored is essentially a raw beef dish that is largely consumed in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Raw beef cubes, usually tenderloin or round steak, are seasoned with niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter), local spice blends such berbere and mitmita, and awaze, a hot paste.
The savory preparation is an integral part of Ethiopian cuisine and is a must-have during special occasions and celebrations. The dish is a common household preparation as well.
Origin of Gored Gored
Apart from the fact that the dish has an Ethiopian origin, little is known about how exactly it came into being. There are various theories about the dish that came to light and its subsequent popularity, but most of the details shared are sketchy and questionable.
Over the years, the dish has grown in popularity and is today served in various places outside of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Different areas have even come up with different recipes and cooking styles.
Like most dishes of the Ethiopian cuisine, the raw beef preparation is also mostly modified when made and consumed in places other than the native regions.
Although the beef cubes are not to be cooked traditionally, raw beef is an acquired taste, and therefore, when served in places outside of Ethiopia and Eritrea, the meat is often cooked, albeit not in excess.
Gored gored is similar to kitfo, another Ethiopian dish, although the cut is not the same, and it makes the flavor different.
Gored Gored Vs Kitfo
Gored gored is a popular Ethiopian dish consisting of cubes of raw beef. Although the dish is often compared to kitfo, it is not marinated in spices and butter before consumption.
Kitfo is minced beef that is marinated in butter and spices, the raw beef preparation is cubed and not marinated.
Gored Gored Dish’s Health and Nutritional Facts
How To Prepare Gored Gored
In its most basic and traditional form, the dish is simply cubes of raw meat served with a special Ethiopian bread.
With time, however, the preparation method and ingredients have changed in some places and the beef cubes are sometimes lightly cooked, alone or with some other vegetables.
When making Gored Gored the traditional way, the only ingredient needed is the beef. However, if a more elaborate cooked version is to be made, ingredients used, in addition to beef, range from onions and bell pepper to spices and herbs, and even butter.
The ingredients used and the time and method of cooking depend on individual preferences. When the dish is to be made in the traditional form, there is almost no preparation involved, except for cutting the beef into cubes.
On the other hand, when the beef cubes and other ingredients are to be cooked, the preparation method is a little more elaborate. The ingredients are all prepared in the required way.
The beef cubes are then cooked or sauted, along with the other ingredients in the preferred way. Once done, Gored Gored is ready to be served.
Which Beef Cuts Are Best for Gored Gored?
Recipe Variation
One of the most popular and common variants of the preparation is the cooked variety. As mentioned earlier, raw beef is an acquired taste and for people who want to relish the preparation but find it difficult to consume raw meat, the beef is cook lightly.
Another popular variation of Gored Gored calls for the addition of more ingredients and the dish is prepared by adding spices, seasonings and vegetables to the raw beef cubes.
In some regions, chicken cubes are used instead of beef. This, however, is largely discouraged by traditionalists who strongly believe that real Gored Gored is made with beef alone and no other raw meats should be used.
Serving Suggestions
The preparation is served hot with injera, a special Ethiopian bread. The dish can be served all by itself, as it is considered a wholesome meal with bread on the side, or it can be a part of a major lunch or dinner meal.
Storage
It is possible to keep a leftover gored gored overnight, in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The next day, either sauté or heat over very low heat for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until the butter melts, and the temperature of the meat approaches room temperature. Serve it immediately.
Be Sure to Try These Other Authentic Ethiopian dishes!
Be sure to recreate this incredible simply beef sautéed in butter and berbere spice. This dish literally takes 5 minutes to make. Bon appétit!
Gored Gored
Ingredients
- 1 lb top sirloin cut into 1” cubes
- 2 tbsp butter or neter kiba
- 2 tbsp berbere
Instructions
- Melt the butter over low heat. Mix in the berbere.
- Add in the beef, making sure that the cubes are coated in the spices.
- Turn up the heat to high and sear the beef for 3 minutes.
- Serve over injera with sautéed spinach or lentils.
