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Recipe
Greek Koliva Recipe
Heavenly Harvest: Greek Koliva Recipe
4.7 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.
Metadata
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
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1 cup (180g) wheat berries 1 cup (180g) wheat berries
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2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
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1/2 cup (75g) almonds, chopped 1/2 cup (75g) almonds, chopped
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1/2 cup (80g) raisins 1/2 cup (80g) raisins
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1/2 cup (80g) pomegranate seeds 1/2 cup (80g) pomegranate seeds
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1/4 cup (50g) powdered sugar 1/4 cup (50g) powdered sugar
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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
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1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
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Zest of 1 orange Zest of 1 orange
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.Rinse the wheat berries under cold water.
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2.In a saucepan, combine the rinsed wheat berries and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
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3.Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 45-60 minutes or until the wheat berries are tender.
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4.Drain any excess water from the cooked wheat berries and transfer them to a large mixing bowl.
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5.Add the chopped almonds, raisins, pomegranate seeds, powdered sugar, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and orange zest to the bowl. Mix well to combine.
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6.Allow the Koliva to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
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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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