Fata is a dish popular in Eritrea made with a spicy tomato sauce served over chunks of crusty bread. It is a spectacular snack or vegetarian lunch with loads of flavor.
Hello Reader! I try my hardest to research recipes as best as I can before posting to ensure I am representing each culture correctly. If this recipe is from your country and I have made a mistake or you have suggestions for how to make it more authentic, I would love to hear! Please leave a comment below letting me know what should be different, and I will rework the recipe. It is always my intention to pay homage and respect to each cultural dish that I cook. Thanks for reading!
Recipe Origins
Have you ever had a Panzanella salad? Some basil, tomatoes, and bread combine to make a unique meal!
Well I’m here today to share with you the African version of a Panzanella salad. The recipe is called Fata, and it hails from Eritrea, a country on the horn of Africa.
It’s made with a spicy tomato sauce that is spooned over crusty bread in a bowl. This is a common lunch in Eritrea, and a recipe I was delighted to make in my home while cooking the country!
Why Make this Recipe
- “Travel” to Eritrea: Never been to Eritrea? No problem. This recipe will transport you there by showing you a common lunch in the country! Even if you’ve never been to Eritrea, this is a great recipe to show you what the flavors and culture of the country is like.
- Quick Lunch: I threw this recipe together for lunch today, and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly and easily it came together! The meal was ready in under 20 minutes.
- Bread and Tomato Sauce: Have you ever finished off a bowl of pasta by running your leftover bread around the rim of the bowl? This dish is just like that, but *add a little spice*. It’s everything you love with just a little kick of flavor!
What Ingredients are in this Recipe
- Vegetable Oil: You can also use canola oil, sunflower oil, or even olive oil (though the last one would be slightly less authentic)
- Vegetables: Red onion, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, tomato pasta
- Spices: Berbere spice blend
- Crusty Bread: I purchased this from the bakery section at my local grocery store. You can use French bread, but I used a larger loaf. Anything with a flaky crust will be a great option.
- Greek Yogurt: I used full fat, plain Greek yogurt.
How to Make Spicy Tomato Sauce
Step 1: Cook the Tomato Sauce
In a medium pan, heat the oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, berbere, and water and heat, uncovered, until the tomatoes break down, about 7 minutes.
Step 2: Plate and Serve
Put 3 pieces of bread in each bowl. Then, layer with spoonfuls of sauce, jalapeños and greek yogurt. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Make sure to mince your tomato and onion very finely.
- If you want the tomato sauce to be less spicy, you can add less berbere. Alternatively, you can sprinkle with some cinnamon, paprika, nutmeg, and cumin, and omit the cayenne altogether.
- If you want, you can sprinkle additional toppings on top, like raw onions, cilantro, or anything else that sounds yummy!
- Though it’s not traditional, the spicy tomato sauce would make a great tomato sauce for pasta or a sauce for rice if you so desire.
Did you like this recipe for Fata from Eritrea with Spicy Tomato Sauce? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:
- Berbere Spice Blend
- Panzanella Sandwich
- Zigni from Eritrea
- 3 Ingredient Pasta Sauce
- Spicy Peanut Sauce from Benin
- Andorran Garlic Tomato Toast
Fata Recipe with Spicy Tomato Sauce from Eritrea
Equipment
- Spice Grinder
- Pan(s)
Ingredients
- ¼ vegetable Oil
- ½ red onion, minced
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 4 plum tomatoes, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Berbere
- ⅓ cup water
- 6 slices of crusty bread
- 1 jalapeño
- ½ cup 5 oz Full fat greek yogurt
Instructions
- In a medium pan, heat the oil. Add the onion and garlic and cook over medium heat until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, tomato paste, berbere, and water and heat, uncovered, until the tomatoes break down, about 7 minutes.
- Put 3 pieces of bread in each bowl. Then, layer with spoonfuls of sauce, jalapeños and greek yogurt. Enjoy!
Notes
- Vegetable Oil: You can also use canola oil, sunflower oil, or even olive oil (though the last one would be slightly less authentic)
- Vegetables: Red onion, garlic, tomatoes, jalapeño, tomato pasta
- Spices: Berbere spice blend
- Crusty Bread: I purchased this from the bakery section at my local grocery store. You can use French bread, but I used a larger loaf. Anything with a flaky crust will be a great option.
- Greek Yogurt: I used full fat, plain Greek yogurt.
- Make sure to mince your tomato and onion very finely.
- If you want the tomato sauce to be less spicy, you can add less berbere. Alternatively, you can sprinkle with some cinnamon, paprika, nutmeg, and cumin, and omit the cayenne altogether.
- If you want, you can sprinkle additional toppings on top, like raw onions, cilantro, or anything else that sounds yummy!
- Though it’s not traditional, the spicy tomato sauce would make a great tomato sauce for pasta or a sauce for rice if you so desire.
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