Freekeh (Smoked Green Wheat)

Freekeh is cracked, smoked wheat, and is one of our favorite grains. Extra greens make this already-healthy option even better for you. Freekeh is a great light lunch or side dish, and pairs beautifully with feta cheese if you want the extra creaminess.

Ingredients

3 cups dried freekeh
1 lb. spinach leaves
1⁄4 cup olive oil
4½ cups hot water
1 large carrot, chopped
1 large white onion, sliced thinly
2 stalks fresh sage (or 3 stalks of dry sage)
Salt and pepper

Directions

1. Place a pot on the stove over medium heat.

2. Pour olive oil into the pot, and when hot, add carrots and white onion. Stir for about 20 minutes or until the onion becomes translucent.

3. Add freekeh and sage and stir for about 10 minutes to toast the freekeh.

4. Pour the hot water into the pot and increase the heat to high. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.

5. Once the water is boiling, cover pot, lower flame all the way, and cook for 35 minutes.

6. After 35 minutes, turn off the heat and let sit for another 10 minutes, covered, to finish steaming - do not open during these 10 minutes.

7. After 10 minutes, remove the lid, add in the spinach leaves and stir gently with a fork or a wooden spoon until the spinach is wilted.

Photo credit: MyRecipes