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Sochivo for Christmas from wheat

Sochivo (Wheat Berry Christmas Porridge)

A delicious and wholesome traditional Russian Christmas dish! Sochivo — also commonly called kutia — is a sweet porridge made from wheat or other grains, prepared with raisins, poppy seeds, walnuts, and honey. This traditional Russian dish has been made since ancient times for Orthodox Christmas, before Epiphany, and for the Old New Year. It used to be served alongside a dried-fruit drink called uzvar. These days it isn't made for Christmas as often, but some families keep the tradition alive to this day.

Snezhana

Recipe author

Composition / ingredients

Servings:

Wheat berries (whole wheat)

Poppy seeds

Raisins (seedless)

100

Walnuts

100

Honey

Salt

Translation table of volumetric measures

Nutrients and energy value of the composition of the recipe

By weight of the composition:

Proteins 13 % 11 g

Fats 22 % 18 g

Carbohydrates 65 % 53 g

417 kcal

GI: 6 / 24 / 70

Cooking method

Step 1:

Gather the ingredients for the sochivo — the list is simple: wheat, poppy seeds, seedless raisins, walnuts, and honey. You can adjust the amounts to taste and even add other things, like additional dried fruits or fresh fruit.
Step 2:

The wheat needs to be prepped ahead of time. Rinse the grain thoroughly, several times, until the water runs clear. Cover it with cold clean water so the wheat is fully submerged and leave it overnight. If you're short on time, soak it for at least a few hours.
Step 3:

In the morning, drain the water, rinse the wheat again, and cover it with fresh water. It's best to cook the wheat in a heavy-bottomed pot, since this grain takes a very long time to cook. Use three times as much water as grain. Add a pinch of salt, bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, set the lid on loosely, and cook the wheat for about two hours.
Step 4:

While the wheat cooks, prepare the add-ins. The poppy seeds need to be rinsed well and steeped: put them in a small pot, cover with water, and set over medium heat. As soon as the water boils, turn off the heat, cover the pot, and let it stand for half an hour. Then drain the water and grind the poppy seeds with a pestle or a blender.
Step 5:

Rinse the raisins well, cover them with boiling water, and let them plump up for 20 minutes.
Step 6:

Rinse the walnuts and dry them in the microwave or in a dry skillet on the stove. Crush them to the size you want with a rolling pin or a blender.
Step 7:

When the wheat is done, a little liquid should be left in the pot — don't drain it. Let the wheat cool a little.
Step 8:

Add the prepared poppy seeds, raisins, walnuts, and honey to the wheat. Mix everything well. For better flavor, you can add a pinch of salt.
Step 9:

The sochivo is ready — serve it at the Christmas table. Enjoy!