Another nutty flavorful recipe using this heavenly healthy grain, Freekeh.
My life is a mess these days!!! remember when I told you that I will be moving.. well something – health issues- came up and we decided to stay longer here… until when you ask? I have no idea :/. Now get ready for the big news… WE HAVE SOLD OUR HOME!!! and we knew about the health thing right the day after we signed!! can you believe that??. The market in Colorado here is going crazy, our home stayed in the market for less than 3 days and it was under contract. Do not think that we are lucky though, we cannot find a place to go now :(. Everything is 2K and up.. didn’t I tell you crazy market. Any decent 3 bdr apartment is even more than 2K and if you add a garage or two prices go up to 2.5 and you will be lucky to find one.
Moral of the story dear reader, if you are in Colorado, do not sell your home or try to search for another rental because simply you will not find one.
I’m amazed that instead of moving around like crazy trying to find some place for my little family, I have the guts to set and right a post!!. I really need to vent, so please do not hate me for this and give me some room here, will you?
Under such stressful conditions I need something comforting to eat may be a huge chocolate bar or a cake covered with frosting.. the last thing I need is something healthy :). But to my surprise I liked today’s dish and will be on my comfort food list.
I bet my hubby was like” Urgh … she is photographing while we will not have a roof over our heads in a week :): hahaha poor man.
Weather is perfect these days so this dish is very suitable when we are changing weather. I’ve introduced you before to the freekeh soup that is very warming during winter time.
Egyptians use the freeka pilaf to stuff small birds with, mostly pigeons and little chickens, and I highly recommend serving it as a side dish, something healthy to replace rice and pasta.
Here is a short video to show you how to prepare it with Middle Eastern touch :).
- 1 cup of uncooked freeka whole grains.
- 2 Tbs olive oil.
- 1 medium onion.
- 1 large tomato.
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
- 1 tsp dried mint leaves- crushed.
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder.
- 1/2 tsp cumin powder.
- 1 tsp salt (more or less depending on your liking)
- Hot water (we will process the tomato and measure them then add hot water or broth until we reach 10oz (1 1/4 cup) of liquid)
- carefully pick freeka looking for inedible things
- wash under cold water
- let it drip
- Cover with water let it soak for 20 -30 minutes
- Cut the onion and process
- do the same for the tomato - I got 6oz of juice DO NOT STRAIN THE JUICE
- Over medium heat, sauté onions
- drain the freeka and add to the pan Stir for 2-3 minutes
- add salt and spices
- add the tomato juice
- Add water or broth to complete the 10 oz liquid
- when it boils, reduce heat and cover
- let it cook until tender and nice almost 20 minutes
Enjoy the rest of the week and please wish us good luck.
I have never tried freekeh but with such a delicious recipe, I’ll do it soon.
I hope you’ll do Denise, thanks for stopping by.
Oh, no! I hope something perfect turns up for you very soon! I’d love to try freekeh as your pilaf looks terrific!
I hope so too, thanks Liz for the wishes.
Congrats on selling your house, but Yikes! Hope you find something you like soon — such a stressful time. And I hope healthwise everything will be fine. Anyway, lovely dish — thanks.
Hi John, I do hope so too, thanks.
Assalaamu alaykum sister,
Allah rectify your affairs ameen and comfort food it is i love freekeh too we recently have been eating it all the time in salad abit like tabbouleh but more western i.e. With lettuce lol
Wa Alaykom Assalam dear sister,
Allahoma Amen ya rab. Liked your idea of tabouleh with freekeh so creative.
God only knows why he does, what he does. All we can do is pray and hope for the best 🙂
Its good that you did what gives you comfort..which is cook, click and upload a delicious post 😀
You couldn’t be more right, everything is done for a reason I am sure of that,it is just the situation that we are left with, but I am sure that we’ll find a way out :). Indeed cooking, baking and blogging are comforting me in such stressful time.
Oh you poor thing! I am sure something will come up , you just need to continue your search. I hope your health is on the mend too. In the mean time I will love to try your delicious dish with delicious flavors. I know how you feel there is something comforting about blogging. when life gets stressful, I cook! I have been cooking a lot lately… hugs coming your way!
What great news about selling your place but I can imagine how busy that makes you and how much you have to do. I haven’t ventured into cooking with freekah but I love eating it if that counts! 😀
Oh dear, I hope you find a place to hang your hat soon.
I really like freekeh but I haven’t cooked it often. This looks too good not to try it.
Anything involving a move is stressful, not knowing where you are going is so awful! Hope you find soon. I have to get some freekeh again soon, your recipe is giving me a craving.
Thnking of you Amira. It must be such a hard time for you. Got no idea about Colorado or house sale. But I know prices are kind of high everywhere. It feels that we have to pay lots of money to get a roof over our heads these days.
Lovely recipe (we need things to get us moving, don’t we?).
Take care and hope soon you’ll have better news to share. May God protect you and your family dear.
You sure are under a great deal of stress. Hope you are mending also hope you find a place for you and your family soon.
Never tried freekeh, shall look for it next time I go to the store.
I’m sure you will find the perfect place! The photography probably is soothing and helps keep you grounded during this stress! I think you did a great job on this grain – it looks amazing! Keep positive thoughts!
I’m so sorry to hear of your health issues but congratulations on selling your home in just three days. Amazing! Prices in Sydney are on the rise too. In my suburb you now can’t buy a free-standing house for under 2 million. It’s shocking how much prices have gone up. I do love your freekah pilaf – so healthy but full of flavour xx
I have heard so much about freekeh, but have never tried…I love this recipe Amira…it is a great way to start using freekeh…
Congratulations on selling your house…and wow…3 days? Amazing…sorry about your health issue…I hope you get over soon…
Good luck finding an apartment…
Oh Amira! May Allah ease things for you and your family and restore you all to full health!
My dear sister, I hope things have sorted themselves by now, and inshAllah you are in a better place mentally and physically 🙂
Never tried freeka grains before. The pilaf looks awesome………..Masha’Allah
Can you do a recipe for stuffed baby chickens or pigeons?
Sommer, I’ve made this recipe before and guess what happened? I DELETED ALL The images accidentally from my camera and was really seriously surely going to cry :(. I was very upset with myself. Will put it on my top list to make when I go back to Colorado Inshaa Allah. Thanks dear for bringing this up, I totally forgot about it. Question though, do you prefer it stuffed with rice or freekeh? as my mom used to make both.