Christmas Wheat Berry Pudding "Kutia"

By mluoceanbeach

Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup whole wheat berries
• 2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup white raisins
• 1 shot vodka, rum, or brandy (optional)
• 1/2 cup honey
• Extra honey and heavy cream, for serving

Details

Adapted from pwaa.org

Preparation

Step 1

Soak wheat berries in two cups of hot water for two hours or overnight. Drain wheat berries and place in an enameled pot. Cover with cold water, bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook over low heat for two hours, or until all liquid is absorbed. Let cool. Cover poppy seeds with a cup of boiling water for 30 minutes. Drain through a fine sieve and place in a glass bowl to dry. Grind poppy seeds in a coffee grinder or food processor, until the seeds start to show their white interiors. Add ground poppy seeds to the wheat berries and then add almonds, raisins, and honey. Mix well. Add more honey if needed. Refrigerate.

Serve kutia cold in small glass bowls with extra honey on the side. Add 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream (or half and half) to each serving. Wheat ferments easily, so be sure to refrigerate any leftovers. The kutia will hold well for up to a week, if it is refrigerated.