Clever as a Fox

Ethiopian cuisine remains an enigma to many Americans, so distinctly different from the fork-and-knife fare that comes standard here that gathering around these communal, cutlery-free meals can feel daunting at best. Defined by bold spices, rich stews, and the beloved spongy flatbread known as injera, there’s truly nothing else like it. The fact that there are still so few Ethiopian restaurants in North America, particularly outside of major cities, is a terrible shame. If only more people could get a taste for themselves, they’d be hooked and demand more; anything less feels bland by comparison.

Red Fox Spices has stepped up to the plate to make that possible. Mail order meal kits are nothing new, but these in particular are groundbreaking. Packaging all the legumes, nuanced spice blends, and inimitable 100% teff injera you need to make authentic Ethiopian home cooking from your very own kitchen, there’s no longer that intimidating barrier to entry. No need to stress over finding the best recipes or accurate spice ratios, especially since there’s no one standard approach to refer back to; all you need to do is color by numbers and follow the straightforward instructions.

Though self-described as a small business, Red Fox Spices is making big waves, drawing upon generations to share a taste of Ethiopia’s rich food culture with adventurous eaters and curious cooks around the world. Every aspect of their impact is carefully considered. Recyclable and reusable materials like glass jars and kraft paper are specifically chosen to reduce plastic waste. Working closely with farmers in Ethiopia to support sustainable agriculture and local economies, they’re also dedicated to supporting women through fair wages, skills training, and economic opportunities.

The best way to learn is through experience, and while I’m no stranger to berbere and niter kibbeh, seasoning blends like afringe, makulaya, and mekelesha were all new to me. Perhaps the greatest asset of these bundles is the fact that there’s more than enough of each spice mixture provided for the given dish, allowing extra to experiment with for many meals to come. There’s even additional recipe inspiration on their website, in case you don’t know where to start.

Earthy, comforting, and full of depth, Misir Wot is the kind of dish that wraps you up from the inside out. The kit includes split red lentils and a warming berbere blend that brings a slow-building heat, both soulful and sharp. The gentle sweetness of caramelized garlic and onion melt away into the thick, rich stew, designed to be scooped up in strips of spongy injera by the handful.

If you’ve never tasted Shiro before, imagine the velvety decadence of a well-spiced bisque, but made entirely from high-protein chickpea flour. Though it cooks in mere minutes, it tastes like it’s been bubbling away on the stove, reducing and concentrating for hours. The flavors are layered and nutty, with a soft warmth that lingers. It’s nourishing in every sense and endlessly adaptable, whether served solo or as part of a larger platter.

I didn’t get the chance to try the Kik Alicha yet, but I’m only biding my time before placing my next order. Made from yellow split peas that are slowly simmered with turmeric, garlic, and onion, it’s known as one of the more understated staples in Ethiopian cuisine. Perfect for the timid of palates, it’s an easy entry point for the uninitiated.

All of the key players are taken care of; all you need to supply are scant fresh ingredients like garlic and ginger, and basic staples like oil and water. Each meal kit is naturally vegan and gluten-free, inviting everyone in with open arms. It’s better than takeout and still completely counts as cooking from scratch, with a little behind-the-scenes help from the experts.

Can down-to-earth dishes and humble ingredients truly dazzle? You wouldn’t even need to ask if you had a plate like this in front of you.

This post was made possible as a collaboration with Red Fox Spices. My opinions can not be bought and all content is original. This page may contain affiliate links; thank you for supporting my blog!