Basic Freekeh Food

FREEKEH (ROASTED GREEN WHEAT) WITH CHICKEN - A TRADITIONAL ARAB

Steps:

• Soak the freekeh in plenty of water, it will start to absorb right away.
• Cover chicken with water in large pot.
• Bring to boil.
• Skim the scum off the top until broth is clear.
• Add two onions, cut in half, to remove any bad odors from the chicken.
• Simmer for another half hour.
• Remove chicken from broth. Set aside.
• Strain broth.
• Rinse freekeh, drain well.
• In a large pot, add olive oil to cover bottom and fry freekeh in it for a couple minutes.
• Add some of the broth, without measuring, to cover.
• Simmer slowly, covered.
• Add broth to keep from drying out.
• If you run out of broth, use water.
• Cook for an hour or more, making sure it does not get too dry.
• A half an hour before serving, heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Mix tomato paste, olive oil, salt, pepper and paprika.
• Put chicken on baking tray and brush with tomato/oil mixture.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until chicken gets a nice toasty finish to it.
• To serve, put freekeh on large tray. Top with chicken. Sprinkle with almonds and pine nuts.
• Serve with a yogurt salad made of plain yogurt, cucumber, dried mint, chopped green onions, and some salt to taste. Also, serve a salad of finely chopped tomato, cucumber, onion, green pepper, carrot, etc with a dressing of lemon and olive oil.

HOW TO COOK FREEKEH

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.