Greek Koliva Recipe

Recipe

Greek Koliva Recipe

Heavenly Harvest: Greek Koliva Recipe

4.5 out of 5

Indulge in the rich traditions of Greek cuisine with this authentic recipe for Koliva. This dish holds a special place in Greek culture, as it is traditionally prepared for memorial services and religious occasions.

Jan Dec
Porridge› Koliva
European cuisine› Mediterranean cuisine› Balkan cuisine› Greek cuisine

Preparation time

15 minutes

Cooking time

45-60 minutes

Total time

2 hours 15 minutes

Yields

8 servings

Preparation difficulty

Easy

Suitable for

Vegetarian, Vegan (if powdered sugar is substituted with a vegan alternative), Dairy-free, Gluten-free (if using certified gluten-free wheat berries), Nut-free (if almonds are omitted or substituted)

Allergens

Wheat (gluten), Almonds

Not suitable for

Paleo, Keto, Low-carb, High-protein, Grain-free

Ingredients

Nutrition

  • Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
  • Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 39g, 15g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Fiber: 6g
  • Salt: 0g

Preparation

  1. 1.
    Rinse the wheat berries under cold water.
  2. 2.
    In a saucepan, combine the rinsed wheat berries and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
  3. 3.
    Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until the wheat berries are tender.
  4. 4.
    Drain any excess water from the cooked wheat berries and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
  5. 5.
    Add the chopped almonds, raisins, pomegranate seeds, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and orange zest to the bowl. Mix well to combine.
  6. 6.
    Allow the Koliva to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
  7. 7.
    Just before serving, sprinkle additional powdered sugar on top for garnish.

Treat your ingredients with care...

  • Wheat berries — Make sure to rinse the wheat berries thoroughly before cooking to remove any impurities.
  • Almonds — For added flavor, lightly toast the almonds before chopping and adding them to the dish. This will enhance their nuttiness.

Tips & Tricks

  • If you prefer a sweeter Koliva, you can add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup to the mixture.
  • Feel free to customize the recipe by adding other dried fruits such as chopped dates or figs.
  • For a festive touch, decorate the top of the Koliva with whole almonds and pomegranate seeds.
  • If you don't have pomegranate seeds, you can substitute them with dried cranberries or currants.
  • To save time, you can cook the wheat berries in advance and refrigerate them until ready to use.

Serving advice

Serve the Koliva chilled in individual bowls or on a large platter. It is often served as part of a larger spread during memorial services or religious occasions. Offer small spoons or forks for guests to enjoy this symbolic dish.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, sprinkle a little extra powdered sugar on top just before serving. You can also garnish with fresh mint leaves for a pop of color.

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