Freekeh: 2 Recipes

The freekeh, or greenwheat freekeh has always been popular in Arab kitchens and has lately made its way into my own personal one. It gets its very distinguished dominant taste from the smoking process it goes through, and its beautiful green color from an early picking date.

This wheat is considered a super health food, since it gets picked before developing gluten, and it contains more fiber, proteins, minerals and vitamins than any other whole grain.

Usually paired with slow cooked lamb, which tastes heavenly when cooked well. Here are two ‘meat free’ dishes from me to you-

Freekeh with Almonds and Pine Nuts

Makes 4-6 servings

To enhance its nutty flavor and unyielding texture, I added almonds and pine nuts to this lovely dish, but any nut will work just as well. Note that freekeh grains love oil, so don’t spare here.

Can’t find freekeh? You can use regular wheat or barley.

1 cup freekeh grains– rinsed, drained and dried
1 large onion – finely chopped
2 garlic cloves – finely chopped
generous amount of olive oil
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
salt and freshly ground pepper
¼ cup almond slices
a handful of pine nuts
¾ cups water

Freekeh Salad with Herbs and Chili

Lovely green salad made with seasonal fresh herbs
Keeps well refrigerated

1 cup freekeh
1 bunch parsley
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch mint
2-3 stems chives
a little chopped dill
a handful of chopped walnut
1 fresh red chili finely chopped (or to taste)
1 lemon
salt and freshly ground pepper
generous amounts of olive oil

Rinse, drain and set the freekeh aside to dry for 30 minutes. This will shorten cooking time tremendously. Transfer to a small pot adding an equal amount of water and bring to a boil. Cook covered on very low heat until all the liquid is absorbed and the freekeh has softened. Bear in mind that it will maintain some bite even when fully cooked.

Chop all the greens. Mix all the ingredients together while the freekeh is still warm so that the flavors are absorbed. Season with vim and vigor. Feel righteous about your healthy eating habits.