Best 7 North African Cracked Wheat Salad Recipes
Embark on a culinary journey to North Africa with this tantalizing cracked wheat salad, a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that celebrates the region's rich culinary heritage. This delectable dish, known as "Slata Meshmesh," is a symphony of wholesome cracked wheat, bursting with the freshness of crisp vegetables, the subtle sweetness of dried fruits, and the nutty warmth of toasted almonds. Its vibrant colors, from the emerald green of the parsley to the golden hue of the roasted pine nuts, entice the senses, promising a delightful gastronomic experience. This versatile salad can be enjoyed as a refreshing appetizer, a light lunch, or a hearty side dish, catering to various dietary preferences with its vegetarian and vegan-friendly ingredients. Dive into the diverse collection of recipes featured in this article, ranging from the traditional Algerian "Slata Meshmesh" to the innovative Moroccan "Cracked Wheat Salad with Grilled Halloumi and Pomegranate." Each recipe offers a unique twist on this classic dish, showcasing the culinary creativity and diversity of North African cuisine.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CRACKED WHEAT SALAD WITH GRILLED RED ONION
Steps:
- Place the bulgur in a large bowl and cover with boiling water, let stand 15 minutes and drain. Brush the onion slices on both sides with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Grill on both sides until almost cooked through, remove and coarsely chop. Place the bulgur in a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve at room temperature.
TRIPLE-HERB FREEKEH
Meet freekeh ("free-kuh"), a toasted and cracked wheat similar to bulgur. It has a slightly smoky and nutty flavor and a pleasant chew, and is a good source of fiber and protein. If you can't find it in your grocery store, cooked brown rice is a great substitute.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Add 8 cups water and the freekeh to a medium saucepan and boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Strain.
- Meanwhile, soak the onions in ice water in a small bowl for 10 minutes. Strain well.
- Whisk together the onions, basil, dill, parsley, oil, 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add the cooked freekah and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper if needed. Transfer to a serving bowl and add the remaining 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Serve warm or at room temperature. (Alternatively, serve chilled, adding an additional tablespoon of lemon juice just before serving.)
Nutrition Facts : Calories 210 calorie, Fat 7 grams, SaturatedFat 1 grams, Cholesterol 0 milligrams, Sodium 480 milligrams, Carbohydrate 31 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 5 grams, Sugar 1 grams
HOW TO COOK FREEKEH
Freekeh is an ancient grain made from roasting the young, green grains of durum wheat, and it has been a staple in Middle-Eastern and North African cuisines for centuries. It's a nutritional powerhouse that cooks up quickly into a slightly firm and chewy grain with a nutty, smoky, and savory flavor. It's a great substitute for grains like quinoa, wheatberries, and farro.
Provided by Riley Wofford
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Pasta and Grains
Time 35m
Yield Makes about 2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 2
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add freekeh and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until freekeh is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Use immediately or spread on a rimmed baking sheet and let cool.
CRACKED WHEAT PILAF
Provided by Floyd Cardoz
Categories Side Quick & Easy Spice Healthy Whole Wheat Sugar Conscious Dairy Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat the oil in a 3-quart saucepan over moderate heat until it shimmers and cook the cloves, cinnamon, cumin seeds, bay leaf, and turmeric (if using), stirring and shaking the pan, until the spices are fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the onion and ginger and cook until the onion is translucent, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Add the chicken stock, then bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the cracked wheat and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and return the mixture to a boil.
- Remove from the heat and let the pilaf stand for 30 minutes. Remove the cloves, cinnamon, and bay leaf and fluff the pilaf with a fork and season with salt to taste before serving.
MEDITERRANEAN CRACKED WHEAT SALAD
This is a recipe I found while looking for a good Tabbouleh recipe. I'm always altering it by adding sun dried tomatoes, using different olives etc and it always comes out fantastic. The original recipe calls for water but I prefer vegetable or chicken stock. (Cooking time includes time to heat broth and roast pepper).
Provided by mmjj_d
Categories Grains
Time 1h
Yield 6-10 1/2 cup, 6-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Rinse cracked wheat (bulgur) and put in a large bowl. Add hot broth, cover and let it stand until all liquid is absorbed (20-25 minutes).
- Let cool and fluff with fork occasionally.
- Add scallions, mint, cilantro, cucumber, olives and roasted pepper; mix well.
- Mix together garlic, olive oil, lemon (or lime) juice salt and pepper and add to salad.
- Stir in feta cheese, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 285.8, Fat 18.6, SaturatedFat 5.7, Cholesterol 24.1, Sodium 621.5, Carbohydrate 23.9, Fiber 2.5, Sugar 4, Protein 8.7
FREEKEH, CHICKPEA AND HERB SALAD
There is a lot to love about freekeh, an earthy grain that I'd like to see catch on in more kitchens. It cooks up in about 25 minutes, and it's light, like coarse bulgur, which it resembles, except that the color is darker and greener. But freekeh has a more complex flavor than bulgur. What stands out is its smokiness, a result of the production process, in which durum wheat - the type used for many pastas - is harvested while still green and soft, and carefully roasted in the husk over open fires. The wheat is beaten to remove the chaff, and in the Middle East it is sold whole or cracked. The cracked version is what you're more likely to find here in the United States, and happily it's become easy to do so. Look on the shelves of Middle Eastern markets, at whole-food markets or online. Cracked freekeh is tastier and easier to work with than whole freekeh. Add it to soups or stews, or use in the same way you would use rice or bulgur. The cracked wheat has a grassy, herbal quality that also makes it great for use in lemony salads like this one, in which the freekeh is tossed with chickpeas, scallions and a welcome dash of bright green in the form of fresh mint and parsley.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, vegetables, appetizer, main course, side dish
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a medium-size heavy saucepan over medium-high heat and add freekeh. Toast in the dry pan, shaking pan or stirring, until freekeh becomes fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Add 2 cups water and salt and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until water has been absorbed. Turn off heat and uncover. Place a clean dish towel over the pot and return lid. Let sit at least 10 minutes. Uncover and allow freekeh to cool another 10 minutes.
- In a large bowl, combine freekeh, chopped herbs, celery, scallions and chickpeas and toss together. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, cumin, garlic, salt and olive oil; toss with salad. Taste and add more lemon juice if desired. Serve right away or let sit for up to 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 313, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 37 grams, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 9 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 387 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
NORTH AFRICAN CRACKED WHEAT SALAD
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the cracked wheat, lemon juice, and oil. Mix well. Add the tomatoes, red peppers, green peppers, cucumbers, celery, scallions, parsley, and mint. Season with the salt and black pepper. Toss well to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or until the wheat has softened.
Tips:
- For the best results, use a good quality cracked wheat. Look for one that is fresh and has a nutty flavor.
- If you don't have any fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs instead. Just be sure to use half the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to this salad, such as chopped cucumber, zucchini, or bell pepper.
- This salad is best served fresh, but it will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
North African Cracked Wheat Salad is a delicious and healthy salad that is perfect for a summer meal. It is packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and cracked wheat, and it is dressed with a tangy lemon-tahini dressing. This salad is sure to be a hit at your next potluck or barbecue.
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