We live in uncertain times, friends. One day, your kids love tomato. The next day they’re swearing off all red food. The Pantone colour for 2015 is marsala. Jamie Dunn is back on commercial radio. Is feta spelled with one t or two? Tumultuous times, indeed.
Early last year, I predicted that quinoa was on the way out and that frekkeh would be the grain of 2014. I was wrong of course, quinoa and kale continued their reign of super-food supremacy and poor old freekeh continued to be the Cinderella to it’s ugly step-sisters.
Well, never let it be said that I’m not willing to flog a deceased equine in the interests of grain betterment! Today I’m declaring 2015 the year of freekeh! Sure we’re fashionably late to the party, but it pays to make an entrance when attempting to gain the affections of a charming non-paleo prince.
freekeh, feta and hazelnut salad
Ingredients:
- 60g butter
- 1 stick celery, finely diced
- 3 golden schallots, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 200g freekeh, rinsed
- 6 green onions, finely sliced
- 1 cup parsley, chopped
- ½ cup mint, chopped
- 150g hazelnuts, roasted, roughly chopped and skinned
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 50ml olive oil
- 300g Danish feta
Method:
Place butter, celery, schallots, and garlic in a medium-sized saucepan and sauté over a low heat for 10 minutes. Add freekeh to the pan and stir to ensure the grain is coated with butter. Add 250ml of water to the pan, bring to boil and cover with a lid.
Cook over a low heat for 12 - 15 minutes. Once cooked (al dente), remove freekeh from the pan and transfer to platter and cool in the refrigerator.
To assemble the salad, mix green onions, hazelnuts with the freekah. Mix lemon juice and oil, dress the salad, crumble the feta over the top and serve.
Freekeh is roasted green wheat grains. Because Freekeh is harvested young, it contains more protein, vitamins, and minerals than mature wheat. It's completely worthy of the Grain of 2015 crown. Get on the freekeh train folks!
Beth Mantle says
Hey Amanda, where can I buy freekah? Is it in the superfoody section of the supermarket? Also, my spell checker keeps autocorrecting freekah to "freak". I think my computer is being very judgemental. 😉
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
I had the same problem, the whole time I was typing this post Beth! I suspect this is adding to freekah's image problem! 😉
I buy mine in the health food section of Woolworths.
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
I'm sure you'll be surprised to learn I've never heard of freekah! That salad does look delish though x
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
You're a pantry saver! I got on to the Frekkah Train a while ago. I bought a box where it has gathered dust ever since because I didn't really know what to do with it. But now I do so thank you for that. I can bring that Frekkah to life before it expires good and proper. This looks freckin' delicious!
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
I live to serve Sammie! xx
Mel @ The cook's notebook says
oh yum! I make a very similar salad but with added smoked tomatoes. Divine.
Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says
Smoked tomatoes? Sounds delicious!