Best How To Cook Freekeh Recipes

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HOW TO COOK FREEKEH



How to Cook Freekeh image

Freekeh is an ancient grain made from roasting the young, green grains of durum wheat, and it has been a staple in Middle-Eastern and North African cuisines for centuries. It's a nutritional powerhouse that cooks up quickly into a slightly firm and chewy grain with a nutty, smoky, and savory flavor. It's a great substitute for grains like quinoa, wheatberries, and farro.

Provided by Riley Wofford

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Time 35m

Yield Makes about 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 2

1 cup cracked freekeh
Kosher salt

Steps:

  • In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add freekeh and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until freekeh is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Use immediately or spread on a rimmed baking sheet and let cool.

FREEKEH, CHICKPEA AND HERB SALAD



Freekeh, Chickpea and Herb Salad image

There is a lot to love about freekeh, an earthy grain that I'd like to see catch on in more kitchens. It cooks up in about 25 minutes, and it's light, like coarse bulgur, which it resembles, except that the color is darker and greener. But freekeh has a more complex flavor than bulgur. What stands out is its smokiness, a result of the production process, in which durum wheat - the type used for many pastas - is harvested while still green and soft, and carefully roasted in the husk over open fires. The wheat is beaten to remove the chaff, and in the Middle East it is sold whole or cracked. The cracked version is what you're more likely to find here in the United States, and happily it's become easy to do so. Look on the shelves of Middle Eastern markets, at whole-food markets or online. Cracked freekeh is tastier and easier to work with than whole freekeh. Add it to soups or stews, or use in the same way you would use rice or bulgur. The cracked wheat has a grassy, herbal quality that also makes it great for use in lemony salads like this one, in which the freekeh is tossed with chickpeas, scallions and a welcome dash of bright green in the form of fresh mint and parsley.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, vegetables, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup freekeh
1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 cup thinly sliced celery, plus 3 tablespoons chopped leaves
1 bunch scallions, finely chopped
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon lightly toasted cumin seeds, ground, more to taste
1 garlic clove, minced or puréed (optional)
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Heat a medium-size heavy saucepan over medium-high heat and add freekeh. Toast in the dry pan, shaking pan or stirring, until freekeh becomes fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 cups water and salt and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until water has been absorbed. Turn off heat and uncover. Place a clean dish towel over the pot and return lid. Let sit at least 10 minutes. Uncover and allow freekeh to cool another 10 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, combine freekeh, chopped herbs, celery, scallions and chickpeas and toss together. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, cumin, garlic, salt and olive oil; toss with salad. Taste and add more lemon juice if desired. Serve right away or let sit for up to 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 313, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 37 grams, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 387 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams

FREEKEH SOUP FOR TWO



Freekeh Soup For Two image

Freekeh is an ancient grain that is packed with nutrients and has a slightly nutty flavor. This will serve 2 as a main or 4 as a appetizer.

Provided by Bren

Categories     100+ Everyday Cooking Recipes     100+ Cooking for Two Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 2

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
½ cup coarsely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, smashed and chopped
½ cup freekeh [frikeh, fireek, farik]
1 medium carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
3 tablespoons celery leaves, chopped
½ teaspoon dried parsley
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large bay leaf
3 cups Chicken Stock-Dry-Prepared EFC

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until slightly softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in freekeh and toast for 3 minutes. Add carrot, celery leaves, parsley, salt, pepper, and bay leaf.
  • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until freekeh is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Allow soup to rest for 5 minutes. Remove bay leaf and serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 310.8 calories, Carbohydrate 43.7 g, Cholesterol 1.1 mg, Fat 12.9 g, Fiber 8.8 g, Protein 8.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Sodium 1642.6 mg, Sugar 4.1 g

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