A recipe for Ethiopian "Beso Drink" (Ethiopian Protein Shake)

Name: Ethiopian Beso Drink
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Ingredients: ¾ cup Beso Powder; 2 cups almond milk (or substitute with water or your preferred type of milk); 1 tbsp honey (or substitute with sugar or your preferred sweetener)

Beso Drink is a traditional Ethiopian beverage that's known for its nutritious qualities. It's made of lightly roasted barley flour, known as 'beso', honey, and usually milk or water. Historically, it has been consumed by the hard-working people of Ethiopia for its satiating and energy-boosting properties. It's especially popular amongst runners, due to its blend of slow-releasing carbohydrates, proteins, and natural sweetness.

The slightly nutty taste of Beso powder, the creaminess of the milk, and the sweetness of honey come together in this drink to create a wonderfully refreshing and nutritious beverage. The Beso powder can be found at local Ethiopian stores or online. You can customize this recipe to suit your palate by substituting almond milk with any other kind of milk or water, and honey with sugar or your preferred sweetener.

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What we blend it in

The smoothest beso is a blended beso — thirty seconds in the Ninja Detect blender and the barley, milk and honey turn into one silky, energizing shake.

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Ingredients

¾ cup Beso Powder
2 cups almond milk (or substitute with water or your preferred type of milk)
1 tbsp honey (or substitute with sugar or your preferred sweetener)

Instructions

Step 1
Start by preparing your ingredients. Ensure your Beso powder is fine and free of lumps.

Step 2
In a blender, combine the Beso powder, almond milk (or your chosen substitute), and honey.

Step 3
Blend on high speed until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Ensure the Beso powder has completely dissolved into the milk.

Step 4
Taste the mixture. If necessary, add more honey or your chosen sweetener to taste.

Step 5
Pour your Beso Drink into a glass. It can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator before serving. Some people prefer it cold, especially on a warm day.

Step 6
Optional: Sprinkle a pinch of Chia seeds on top for a rustic touch before serving.

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A recipe for Ethiopian "Beso Drink" (Ethiopian Protein Shake)