Ayib Be Gomen
Description
Ayib Be Gomen - Authentic recipe from Ethiopia. Ready in 40 min. Try it now!
Directions
✓ researched- 1
Wash 300 g of spinach and blanch or sauté until wilted. Finely chop 1 onion and sauté in 2 tsp butter or niter kibbeh until soft.
⏱️ approx. 12 min💡 Tip: Ayib Be Gomen is an Ethiopian dish — braised leafy spinach (gomen) with fresh cheese (ayib). Mild, creamy, and savory. A popular vegetarian side dish served with injera.
- 2
The recipe calls for '1 onion' without a unit (meaning 1 piece). Add 2 cloves of garlic and ginger. Braise the spinach together with the onion and garlic.
⏱️ approx. 12 min💡 Tip: Gomen (leafy spinach or kale) is gently braised with onions, garlic, and ginger. Ayib (fresh Ethiopian cheese, similar to cottage cheese or ricotta) is folded in or served alongside — creamy and mild.
- 3
Fold in 200 g of fresh cheese (ayib) or serve it alongside. Season with salt. Mild and creamy.
⏱️ approx. 12 min💡 Tip: Ayib Be Gomen is served as a mild, creamy side dish alongside injera — braised spinach with fresh cheese. A popular vegetarian component of the beyaynetu. The cheese tempers the dish and makes it creamy.
📜 Origin & History
Ayib Be Gomen (አይብ ቤ ጎመን, 'fresh cheese with kale') is a traditional Ethiopian dish of ayib (Ethiopian fresh cheese) and gomen (Brassica leafy vegetable, kale or green cabbage). Ayib is a crumbly Ethiopian fresh cheese made by curdling milk and similar in texture to Indian paneer. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church there are over 200 fasting days per year when no meat or animal products are consumed; ayib be gomen is permitted during these fasting periods since cheese and vegetables are allowed. Gomen (kale vegetable) is in Ethiopia, particularly in the Amhara and Tigray regions, a basic vegetable of rural cuisine. The dish is served on injera (fermented teff flatbread), which serves as a common base for all dishes. Ayib be gomen is part of Ethiopian fasting vegetarian cuisine ('Ye-Tsom Migib') and a widespread family dish.
🌿 Regional variants
With kale
Made with kale instead of spinach.
With chili
With a little chili — adds a kick.
🍷 What goes with it?
Served with injera. As part of a beyaynetu platter. With fresh cheese. Mild and creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the data error?
The recipe lists '1 onion' without a quantity unit (the word 'piece' is missing). It means 1 onion (1 piece).
What is ayib?
Ayib is a fresh Ethiopian cheese — mild, crumbly, similar to cottage cheese or ricotta. It is often served alongside spicy dishes (to temper them) or combined with spinach (gomen) as in this recipe. Creamy and mild.
What is gomen?
Gomen is Ethiopian braised leafy cabbage, kale, or spinach — cooked with onions, garlic, and ginger. Combined with ayib (cheese), it becomes the creamy, mild ayib be gomen. A popular side dish.
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Ingredients
verified- Spinach300 g
- Cream cheese200 g
- Onion1 pcs
- Butter2 tsp
- Garlic clove2 clove
