Basic Cooked Wheat Berries Recipes

BREAKFAST WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• The night before, combine wheat berries, 1 quart of the water and salt and bring to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour. Remove from heat, stir in the honey, agave syrup or sugar, rose water, anise or fennel seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg and raisins or dried fruit. Cover and leave overnight (or for 5 to 6 hours).
• In the morning, add remaining cup of water to the wheat berries and bring to a simmer. Cook 30 to 45 minutes, stirring often, until berries are soft and splayed at one end. There should be some liquid surrounding the wheat berries (add more water if necessary). Taste and add more sweetener if desired.
• Serve on their own with some of the liquid in the saucepan (stir in some milk if desired), or spoon about 1/3 cup yogurt into bowls and top with a generous spoonful of the berries, with some of the sweet broth. Top with a handful of chopped nuts and a few pomegranate seeds if desired.

WHEATBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Place the wheatberries and 3 cups of boiling salted water in a saucepan and cook, uncovered, over low heat for approximately 45 minutes, or until they are soft. Drain.
• Saute the red onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat until translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the remaining 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of olive oil and the balsamic vinegar.
• In a large bowl, combine the warm wheatberries, sauteed onions, scallions, red bell pepper, carrot, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. Allow the salad to sit for at least 30 minutes for the wheatberries to absorb the sauce. Season, to taste, and serve at room temperature.

PRECOOKED WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• Set the wheat berries in a sauce pan, cover with the water and soak overnight. The following day boil the berries in the same water for 20 minutes, if you want them parboiled only (to cook later on in casseroles or soups) or for 1 hour if you want them fully cooked. Drain well and cool thoroughly. Transfer the cooked wheat berries to a glass jar and store them in the refrigerator for 4 days. Store them in the freezer only if you are going to use them in soups, stews or casseroles. The freezer softens their texture and makes them less chewy.

BASIC COOKED WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• Place all ingredients into a pressure cooker and cook on high heat until hissing begins and pressure rises. Lower heat to maintain hissing and cook for 45 minutes.

BASIC COOKED WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• Place washed berries in a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook shaking the pan for around 3 to 5 minutes. Till they start to pop. Being careful not to over cook or burn.
• Stovetop: Combine water and wheat in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until all the water is absorbed and grain is soft and chewy, approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Slow Cooker: Combine water and wheat in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.