This is an Armenian holiday tradition. Here's a recipe I found online, and then I'll put my own variations below.
* 2 lbs wheat grain
* 1 lb sugar
* 1 lb walnuts and almonds
* 1 tsp cinnamon
* 1 lb seedless raisins (mix white and red)
* 2 tbsp cornstarch
* 2 qts water
Wash the wheat grains and cover in a pot with 2 quarts of water. Cook until the grains split. Remove from the fire and let it stand for one hour.
Add sugar, raisins, nuts, and cinnamon to the grain. Soften and dissolve a the cornstarch in a little lukewarm water and stir into the grain mixture.
Add more water as needed and cook for another five minutes.
Serve cold.
Variations:
-I use barley cuz I don't handle wheat well, and it tastes just as good.
-I substitute dried cranberries for the raisins. It looks prettier and I like the little bit of sour.
-I don't use the cornstarch, and I don't always add the nuts, or sometimes only one kind.
-I add cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cloves. Not at all necessary, but nice.
-I often serve it with either good, fullfat yogurt, sour cream, or creme fraiche.
**Makes a great breakfast, and it's always better the second day, so make ahead.
16 years
