Wheat Berry Caviar Recipes

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.

BUCKWHEAT NOODLES WITH RED CAVIAR AND SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• In a pot of boiling water cook soba for about 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions. until done. While soba is cooking heat butter in a small skillet until it is golden brown; you want the flavor of the butter. Drain soba and return to saucepan and toss with golden butter and 4 tablespoons of sour cream, chives and half of caviar. Portion out and top with more sour cream and caviar if you wish.

CHIVE BLINI WITH CAVIAR AND CREME FRAICHE

Steps:

• In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine flour, egg, milk, 1 tablespoon butter, chives, and salt. Whisk just until ingredients come together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside for 1 hour. Set a medium nonstick pan over low heat and brush with melted butter. Pour approximately 1 teaspoon of the batter into the pan, and repeat leaving some space between pancakes. When bubbles appear on the surface of the pancakes (about 1 to 2 minutes), flip them over with a spatula. Continue cooking for 1 minute more or until the pancakes are golden brown on both sides.
• Serve with a tiny dollop of creme fraiche and an even tinier dollop of the caviar of your choice (paddle fish, hackleback, golden whitefish and tobiko all work well.)

AMBROSIA OF WHEAT BERRIES, FRUIT & CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Drain the soaked wheat berries, and put them in the saucepan with 3 quarts fresh cold water and the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, cover slightly ajar, and adjust the heat to maintain a steady simmer. Cook until the wheat berries are tender but still slightly firm to the bite, about 40 to 45 minutes. Drain off any liquid that has not been absorbed, discard the bay leaf, and let the wheat berries cool.
• Put the wheat berries, cherries, apricots, dates, chocolate, and hazelnuts in a large bowl, and fold them together. Sprinkle the cinnamon over them, and drizzle the honey and Saba on top. Tumble the mixture together gently to distribute the spice and sweetening throughout.
• To serve: Scoop 3/4 to 1 cup of the grano mixture into each wineglass. Top each with a dollop of whipped cream, and serve immediately.

MASTER RECIPE: WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• Sort through wheat berries carefully, discarding any stones. Rinse well under cool running water. Place in a large heavy saucepan. Add water and salt.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently for 1 hours, stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse.
• To serve hot, use immediately.
• Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
• To store for future use, drain and spread the grains out on a baking sheet to speed cooling. You can then scoop 1- or 2-cup servings of the cooked wheat berries into seal able plastic bags and freeze them. They can be heated and served as a side dish, or you can even add frozen cooked wheat berries (without defrosting them) to soups and stews.

PEARS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place walnuts on a baking sheet, and toast in the oven 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool.
• In a food processor, process 1/2 cup of the walnuts 10 seconds, until finely chopped. Remove to a bowl, and set aside. Place the remaining walnuts, basil leaves, Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons olive oil in the food processor. Process 15 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl, and process 15 seconds more. Add 4 tablespoons olive oil, red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar, and process 15 seconds. Transfer to a bowl, season to taste with salt and pepper, and set aside.
• In a 5-quart saucepan, bring to a boil 2 quarts water seasoned with 2 teaspoons salt. Add wheat berries and simmer 1 hour, until they are cooked but still quite crunchy. Drain, and transfer to a large bowl. Add the currants, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar; stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let cool 30 minutes, then stir in the reserved chopped walnuts. Set aside.
• In a large nonstick saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, and season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook 30 to 40 minutes, until golden and caramelized, stirring occasionally to prevent onions from sticking to the pan. Add 1/2 cup water to the caramelized onions, bring to a boil and then transfer onions and liquid to a large bowl.
• While the onions are cooking, combine lemon juice with 4 cups cold water in a medium bowl. Core and quarter the pears. Slice each quarter lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, and place in the lemon water. Set aside until onions are done.
• Drain pears in a colander, rinse under cold water and shake dry. Add pears to the onions, and stir gently to combine. Season to taste with salt. Cover with plastic wrap, and set aside for 10 minutes.
• To assemble, place equal amounts of the wheat berry mixture in a ring shape on the outer edges of 4 plates. Place equal amounts of arugula inside each ring of wheat berries. Dress arugula and wheat berries with 2 tablespoons dressing. Place equal amounts of the pear-onion mixture on the arugula, then sprinkle pears and onions with 1 more tablespoon of dressing. Serve immediately.