Ukrainian Christmas Kutya ( Kutia)

Total Time: 4 hrs 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 4 hrs

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 1 1/2 cups wheat berries, soaked in warm water for 24 hours, and then strained (kernels)
• 4 1/2 cups water (or more) or 4 1/2 cups milk (or more)
• 3/4 cup poppy seed
• 2/3 cup sliced roasted almonds or 2/3 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup honey, to taste
• 2/3 cup chopped dried apricot (optional)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 pinch salt, to taste
• 1 dash ground cinnamon

Recipe

• 1 in a medium pot, combine wheat kernels and milk.
• 2 bring to a boil.
• 3 reduce heat, cover, and simmer 3 hours.
• 4 add more liquid as necessary to keep kernels covered.
• 5 scald the poppy seeds with boiling water, drain, and add lukewarm water to cover.
• 6 soak 30 minutes, drain and grind in a food processor.
• 7 set aside.
• 8 drain water from wheat kernels and keep 1/2 cup of the liquid.
• 9 add the honey to the liquid and mix well.
• 10 mix kernels, honey, ground poppy seeds, almonds, apricots, raisins, and salt.
• 11 bake in a 2-quart casserole dish, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.
• 12 kutia may be served warm or chilled, and sprinkled with cinnamon, but it is best when prepared several days ahead of time in order for the full flavor to develop.
• 13 kutia can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.