Freekeh And Frisée Recipes

FREEKEH, CHICKPEA AND HERB SALAD

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.

FREEKEH WITH CHICKEN, ALMONDS AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Pick over freekeh and rinse in cold water until water looks clear. Soak grain in cold water for 30 minutes, then drain well.
• Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add almonds and fry, stirring, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove almonds and set aside.
• Add butter to oil. When hot, add freekeh and stir to coat. Add allspice, cinnamon stick, pepper and salt.
• Add broth, turn heat to high and bring to a boil. Cover and turn heat to low. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender. (Whole-grain freekeh will take 40 to 45 minutes.) From time to time, give freekeh a stir and make sure it isn't sticking. All liquid should be absorbed, as it would in cooking rice, and freekeh should be tender. If not, add a little water and cook for a few minutes longer. Taste for salt and adjust. Turn off heat.
• Meanwhile, prepare the chicken: Season the meat on both sides generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with cinnamon and allspice and rub over chicken.
• Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Gently fry chicken on both sides until nicely browned. Add broth and bring to a boil. Cover, turn heat to low and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is tender. Turn off heat and keep warm.
• To serve, spoon freekeh onto a warm platter. Lay chicken on top and ladle remaining cooking liquid over. Top with reserved fried almonds. Garnish with parsley sprigs. Pass a bowl of yogurt.

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.

FREEKEH AND FRISéE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan of boiling water, blanch the green beans until just tender and bright green, about 2 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water to cool, then drain and set aside in the refrigerator.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper, then whisk in the oil until emulsified. Cut the sun-dried tomatoes into 1/8-inch-wide (3-mm-wide) strips and add to the dressing; if the tomatoes were not packed in oil, set them aside to soften in the dressing for at least 15 minutes.
• Spread the frisée and parsley on a large serving platter. Make piles of the olives, freekeh, tuna, eggs, and beans; with a slotted spoon, transfer the tomatoes from the dressing to a pile in the frisée and drizzle everything with the dressing. Serve immediately.