Beyaynetu
Beyaynetu (Amharic: በያይነቱ, romanized: bäyaynätu) is a classic Ethiopian dish, often savoured as a hearty meal. This culinary delight combines injera—a sourdough flatbread—with a variety of ingredients, including meat and vegetables.[1] It holds a revered position among the national dishes of Ethiopia, reflecting the diverse and rich flavours of the country's cuisine.
The term bäyaynätu (በያይነቱ) in Amharic can be translated as "various" or "assorted," indicating the wide range of ingredients that make up this dish.
Varieties
- Vegetarian: When prepared without any animal products, it is commonly known as ʾätkəlt bäyaynätu (አትክልት በያይነቱ) or yäṣom bäyaynätu (የጾም በያይነቱ).[2] Here, ʾätkəlt refers to "plants" or "vegetables," and yäṣom signifies "fasting," denoting the period when members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church abstain from consuming meat and dairy products for several weeks. The prefix yä functions as a genitive marker, combined with ṣom ("fasting") to denote "of fasting."
- Non-vegetarian: When meat is included in the dish, it goes by names such as bäyaynätu bäsga (በያይነቱ በስጋ) or yäfsək bäyaynätu (የፍስክ በያይነቱ). In this context, bä means "with," and səga stands for "meat." Yäfsək is associated with the non-fasting period fəsk in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church.
In both forms, Beyaynetu showcases Ethiopia's culinary diversity, offering a blend of textures, flavours, and ingredients. Whether enjoyed as a vegetarian delight or a meaty feast, Beyaynetu remains a cherished and culturally significant dish, representing the nation's gastronomic heritage.
References
- Redden, Claire (2023-09-13). "Ethiopian Beyaynetu Is A Must-Try For Those Who Like Variety In One Dish". Tasting Table. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- Court, Jay; Cosier, Colin (14 January 2015). "New Year's diet : a different type of 5:2 offers more flavours". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2023.