Q'wanta Bey'Ayib
Dried Meat with Fresh Cheese
Yes, keto as served. About 7g net carbs per serving, lower than 6 in 10 Eritrean dishes.
What it is
A rustic and flavorful dish featuring tender strips of dried beef or lamb (q'wanta) lightly sautéed with onions and berbere spices, traditionally served with a generous dollop of fresh Eritrean ayib (mild, crumbly cheese). The ayib provides a cooling contrast to the spiced meat.
Key ingredients
Dried beef/lamb (q'wanta), red onions, garlic, ginger, berbere spice, niter kibbeh (spiced clarified butter), salt, fresh Eritrean ayib cheese.
Optional tweaks
Ensure no sugar is added to the berbere or during cooking. Confirm ayib is made from whole milk with no added sweeteners.
Watch out for
Onions can contribute carbs in larger quantities. Some pre-made berbere spice blends may contain hidden sugars.
Macros are estimates for a typical serving and vary by restaurant. Confirm ingredients with staff, especially if you have allergies. Our ingredient lists are generated automatically and describe how a dish is typically made.
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