A Tigrayan dish of small roasted barley dough balls dipped into a spicy beef and berbere zigni stew.
25 min prep 55 min cook
Keeps the screen on · step-by-step guide · built-in timer
Toast the barley flour in a dry pan for 6 minutes, until fragrant.
Gradually add the hot water and salt to the toasted flour, then knead into a smooth, thick dough.
Roll the dough into small hazelnut sized balls and let them rest.
Saute the onions in butter for 6 minutes.
Add the garlic, ginger, and berbere, then stir for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the beef and sear it, then stir in the tomato puree and salt.
Add 1 cup hot water and cook for 40 minutes, until the beef is tender.
Arrange the barley balls around the serving dish, place the beef zigni sauce in the center, and serve hot.
💡 Tip: Stir the barley flour constantly as it toasts; properly toasted flour gives the balls a nutty flavor and a firm texture.
🍽️ Serving suggestion: Serve tihlo hot by dipping each barley ball into the beef zigni sauce with a two pronged fork, with plain rice or injera alongside.
Approximate vitamin / mineral assessment based on the recipe's ingredients. For precise nutrition tracking, consult a doctor or dietitian.
~420
kcal calories
28
g protein
32
g carbs
20
g fat
Approximate values, derived from ingredient amounts using USDA FoodData Central and TÜBİTAK Turkish Food Composition Database. Actual values can vary by roughly ±20% depending on cooking method, brand, and portion size. For diet or medical conditions, consult a dietitian or doctor.
Allergens are derived automatically from the ingredient list, covering the main groups of the EU-14 food allergen standard (gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, seafood, sesame, celery, mustard). Cross-contamination (shared kitchen equipment, shared surfaces) isn't tracked, if you have a serious allergy, review the full ingredient list yourself and ask about preparation.
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