Mild Beef And Potatoes (sega Wot Alecha) Recipe

Prepare aromatics and potatoes

Peel and cut the potatoes into rough 1-inch cubes so they cook evenly. Finely chop the onion. Mince the garlic and ginger and set aside.

Brown the beef

Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil. When hot, add the beef cubes in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and brown on all sides, about 4–6 minutes total. Transfer browned beef to a plate and reserve.

Cook the onions

Reduce heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pot. Add the chopped onion and a pinch of salt. Sauté until the onions are soft and just beginning to color, about 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally so they do not burn.

Add garlic, ginger and turmeric

Add the minced garlic and ginger to the softened onions and cook 1–2 minutes until aromatic. Stir in the turmeric powder and cook another 30–45 seconds to bloom the spice (this releases more flavor).

Combine beef, potatoes and liquid

Return the browned beef and any collected juices to the pot. Add the potato cubes, bay leaf, and pour in the beef broth (or water) so the ingredients are mostly submerged. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.

Simmer gently

Bring the stew to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially with a lid and simmer until the beef is tender and potatoes are cooked through, about 35–45 minutes depending on beef cut. Stir occasionally and check liquid level; add up to 1/2 cup additional water or broth if it looks too dry.

Finish and season

When beef is tender and potatoes are soft, remove the bay leaf. Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper (start with the 1 tsp salt and add more to taste). If you prefer a slightly thicker sauce, increase the heat to medium and simmer uncovered for 3–5 minutes to reduce. Stir in chopped parsley or cilantro if using.

Warm injera

Warm the injera briefly in a low oven or on a dry skillet for a minute so it is pliable. Place injera on a serving platter.

Assemble and serve

Spoon the Mild Beef and Potatoes onto the injera or serve in a bowl alongside. Serve with a scoop of homemade cottage cheese on the side or placed gently on top of the injera. Garnish with extra chopped herbs if desired.