Shiro (food) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Shiro

Shiro served upon injera is a staple food of Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine
Type	Stew
Course	Lunch Dinner
Place of origin	Ethiopia Eritrea
Main ingredients	Chickpeas Broad beans Onions Garlic
Variations	Shiro fit-fit
Food energy (per 100 g serving)	353 kcal (1478 kJ)
Nutritional value (per 100 g serving)	Protein 22.3 g Fat 4.8 g Carbohydrate 50 g

Shiro is a yummy and popular stew from Ethiopia and Eritrea. It's often eaten for lunch or dinner. The main ingredient is a powder made from chickpeas or broad beans. Shiro is usually served on a special flatbread called injera. It's a very important dish in both Eritrean and Ethiopian cooking.

What is Shiro?

Shiro is a thick, tasty stew. It's made from a special flour. This flour comes from ground chickpeas or broad beans. Cooks often add minced onions and garlic to the stew. Sometimes, they also include ground ginger or chopped tomatoes and chili peppers. The exact recipe can change depending on the region.

Chickpeas being prepared for grinding into flour for shiro tsebhi

How is Shiro Eaten?

Shiro is usually served on top of injera. Injera is a soft, spongy flatbread that has a slightly sour taste. It's a bit like a pancake. Sometimes, shiro is eaten with kitcha, which is another type of flatbread that is not leavened (it doesn't rise).

There's a special way to eat shiro called shiro fit-fit. For this, the shiro is mixed with shredded injera or another flatbread called taita. You eat this version with a spoon.

Different Kinds of Shiro

Most shiro is a vegan food. This means it doesn't contain any animal products. It's made only from plants.

However, there are some versions that are not vegan. Some cooks add niter kibbeh, which is a special spiced, clarified butter. If meat is added, the dish is called bozena shiro.

There is also a type called Tegabino shiro. This shiro is made with lots of spices, legumes, chickpeas, field peas, or fava beans. It also has oil or butter and water. It's served bubbling hot in a small clay pot or a shallow aluminum pan. People often eat it with dark or sergegna injera.

When is Shiro Eaten?

Shiro is a favorite dish for many special occasions. It's especially popular during fasting seasons. These include Tsom, which is like Lent for Orthodox Christians, and Ramadan for Muslims. During these times, people often eat vegan meals, and shiro is a perfect choice.