Kutia is a traditional Ukrainian recipe for a classic dessert of wheat berries or pearl barley with poppy seeds cooked in sweetened water with walnuts and which is typically served for Christmas Eve supper. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Ukrainian version of: Kutia.
(click this button to prevent the screen from sleeping so Cook Mode is 'ON')
Kutia (also spelled kutya) is a sweet grain pudding that's traditionally served in Russia, the Ukraine, Lithuania, Belorussia and Poland. This particular version comes from the Ukraine. Kutia is often the first dish in the traditional twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper (also known as Svyateh Vetchnyat) and is rarely served at any other time of year. Traditionally it was made of wheatberries, poppy seeds, honey (or sugar), various nuts and sometimes raisins. In many recipes milk or cream is also used. In some Slavic countries, rice is the main ingredient. In modern versions, however, other ingredients such as almonds and pieces of oranges are added.
Ingredients:
250g wheat berries (or substitute pearl barley)
800ml water
90g poppy seeds
80ml honey
130g sugar
120ml hot water
65g chopped walnuts (or pecan nuts)
Method:
Wash the wheat berries under cold, running, water then place in a bowl, cover with the 800ml water and set aside to soak over night.
The following day, transfer the wheat and its soaking liquid to a pan. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook gently for about 4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking (the wheat is ready when the kernels burst and the mixture becomes thick and creamy).
Add the poppy seeds to a coffee grinder and process to a flour. Now mix together the honey, sugar and hot water until the sugar has all dissolved. Stir the ground poppy seeds into this mixture then add to the cooked wheat mixture along with the chopped nuts. Add more honey (if desired), to taste then pour into a bowl, cover, then transfer to a refrigerator and allow to mature for at least 1 week before serving.
Click on the image, above to submit to Pinterest.