Eastern Christmas Wheat Berry Dessert - Kutia

The Eastern Christmas Eve, a holiday celebrated with loved ones, is upon us. This recipe takes me back to my childhood, specifically, to the Christmases at my parents' house. Last year, I shared the process of making Braided Bread, a family tradition. This year, I present to you a dish that has been a staple in our Christmas celebration, the Kutia or Boiled Wheat.

You can enjoy this versatile dessert throughout the year. Rich in whole grains, it's highly recommended for those seeking a balanced diet. The beauty of this dessert lies in its adaptability - it can be sweetened and garnished with an array of ingredients like sugar, honey, sweeteners, walnuts, poppy seeds, coconut, vanilla, and many other flavors.

My grandmother's version, the one closest to my heart, was a simple blend of sugar and walnuts. The wheat berries would simmer on the stove for hours, after which a portion would be mixed with sugar and walnuts. This preparation remains the most memorable dessert of my childhood.

Ingredients
Wheat berries
500 g
Sugar
5 tbsp
or any other sweetener of your choice
Walnuts
200 g
feel free to add poppy seeds, coconut, prunes, etc.
Vanilla Extract
1 tbsp
optional, or replace with other flavors you enjoy
Step by step
Step 1

Begin with preparing the wheat berries.

Traditionally, we would gather a week prior to Christmas and meticulously select the grains. Nowadays, I find it convenient to purchase pre-cleaned wheat berries from a vegan food store.

Eastern Christmas Wheat Berry Dessert - Kutia - Step 1
Step 2

Rinse the wheat thoroughly the night before cooking, then soak it in ample water overnight.

Eastern Christmas Wheat Berry Dessert - Kutia - Step 2
Step 3

Drain the soaking water in the morning, transfer the grains to a cooking pot, and add fresh water. A good ratio is one part wheat to three parts water.

Eastern Christmas Wheat Berry Dessert - Kutia - Step 3
Step 4

Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally. If the water level drops during cooking, add more boiling water.

I used a multicooker with a stew setting for 4 hours, stirring once, and that was sufficient.

Eastern Christmas Wheat Berry Dessert - Kutia - Step 4
Step 5

The boiled wheat will appear as cracked grains in a cloudy and dense liquid.

The most reliable test, however, is tasting. The grains should be cooked yet retain a slight firmness.

Eastern Christmas Wheat Berry Dessert - Kutia - Step 5
Step 6

At this point, you can add sugar, nuts, and other flavors to the wheat. This dish is enjoyable both hot and cold.

Eastern Christmas Wheat Berry Dessert - Kutia - Step 6
Step 7

To enhance the flavor, consider roasting the walnuts for 10 minutes in the oven or on a stovetop pan. After roasting, lightly crush them using the bottom of a cup or glass.

Eastern Christmas Wheat Berry Dessert - Kutia - Step 7
Step 8

Here's how the dessert looks on our Christmas table, gorgeously adorned with plums and nuts.

As it cools, the wheat becomes denser. If preferred, you can thin it out with some hot water until it reaches your desired consistency.

Enjoy your meal!

Eastern Christmas Wheat Berry Dessert - Kutia - Step 8
Quantity: 1 kg ()
Prep time:
240 min
Difficulty: easy
Ready in: 360 min