Sameh Wadis Wheat Berries With Carrots Harissa Yogurt And Dates Recipes

WHEAT BERRIES WITH ROASTED BEETS AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Put a rimmed baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Toast the wheat berries in a large dry pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring often, 6 to 7 minutes. Add 8 cups water and season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the wheat berries are tender but still slightly chewy, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, adding up to 1 cup more water if needed. Drain. Wipe out the pot and reserve.
• Meanwhile, place the beets on a large sheet of foil; drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Fold and crimp the edges to form a packet, leaving room for steam to circulate. Transfer the packet directly to the oven rack and roast until the beets are tender when pierced with a knife, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool slightly, then rub off the skins with a paper towel and cut into wedges.
• Meanwhile, remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the carrots and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; toss. Roast until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the reserved pot over medium-high heat. Add the red onion, fennel, garlic, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and the fennel is crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Add the wheat berries, carrots and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook, stirring, until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the orange juice, lemon juice and all but 2 tablespoons parsley; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the beets. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.

SAMEH WADI'S WHEAT BERRIES WITH CARROTS, HARISSA YOGURT AND DATES

Steps:

• In a colander, drain the soaked grains and shake dry. In a medium saucepan with a tight lid, heat the olive oil. Add the grains and cook over moderately high heat, stirring continuously until dry and sizzling, about 1 minute.
• Add stock and bring to a simmer. Simmer, uncovered, until the liquid just reaches the top level of the grains, about 8 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to very low, cover and continue to cook until liquid is absorbed and grains are cooked through, 10 to 20 minutes. (Start tasting after 10 minutes; grains should be just tender at the heart. Add more liquid 2 tablespoons at a time if the pan becomes dry.) Turn off heat and set aside, covered, 15 to 30 minutes, to steam.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spread out the carrots in one layer on a baking sheet, drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt and toss to coat. Roast until brown around the edges and tender all the way through, 15 to 20 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine yogurt, lemon juice and harissa and whisk until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings with harissa and salt. The consistency should be thick but pourable; add more lemon juice or water as needed.
• When ready to serve, fluff the grains with a fork. Spoon onto a serving platter or wide shallow bowl; arrange the carrots in a circle on top, then sprinkle with dates. Drizzle yogurt over top and garnish with mint, dill and a drizzle of olive oil. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

SPICE-CRUSTED CARROTS WITH HARISSA YOGURT

Steps:

• Cook carrots in a large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender and skins easily rub off, about 5 minutes; drain. Transfer to a bowl of ice water. Using paper towels, gently rub carrots to remove skins and pat dry.
• Mix sugar, mustard powder, paprika, cumin, and coriander in a small bowl. Toss carrots with 1 tablespoon oil in a medium bowl. Add spice mixture; season with salt and pepper and toss to coat.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron. Working in 2 batches, cook carrots, turning occasionally, until deep brown all over, 6-8 minutes; season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, place yogurt in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add harissa paste, 2 teaspoons thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and gently swirl ingredients, stopping before yogurt turns pink.
• Spoon harissa yogurt onto plates and top with carrots, more thyme, and more lemon zest. Serve with lemon wedges.
• DO AHEAD: Carrots can be cooked in boiling water and peeled 6 hours ahead. Cover and chill.