African Taste

What sort of food does ‘fasting’ bring to mind? You might think water and gruel, but at laid-back African Taste, it turns out fasting means feasting - vegetarian-style. The ‘fasting food’ plate comprises five dishes including spicy red lentils and slow-cooked pumpkin and eggplant traditionally enjoyed in fasting periods on the Ethiopian Christian calendar. Chef Ben Tesfation isn’t all about strictly traditional dishes from his native Ethiopia, though. Creative combinations abound, from an African club sandwich to fantastic fufu gnocchi. These nutty dumplings are made from toasted barley flour and luxuriate in a creamy red berbere-infused sauce.