Polish Kutia

 

Polish kutiá is a recipe that appears linked to Christmas dinner in Poland and Lithuania, forming part of the so-called 12 dishes that are traditionally served there. Although it could be enjoyed on any other day of the year as a more nutritious porridge or cereal for any breakfast, Poles rarely prepare it outside of such an important date.

In much of Eastern Europe there are similar recipes with variations in ingredients but which are also reserved for special occasions.

INGREDIENTS (4 people)

• 1 cup of buckwheat*
• 1/2 cup of wheat grains
• 1/2 cup of honey
• 1/4 cup of chopped almonds
• 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup of raisins
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/4 cup prunes, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• a pinch of salt

*Buckwheat is not actually a cereal. It is called so because its use is very similar to wheat, obtaining flour and also eating it in grain as in the recipe at hand.

Buckwheat was very common in the rainiest Europe, although it declined due to the low profitability of the crops. 

Buckwheat grain is found in large supermarkets and health food stores. If you can't find it, you can use standard wheat instead (so, 1 cup and a half of whean grains) or barley grain.

We wash buckwheat and wheat grains. We boil water in a pot and when it starts to bubble vigorously we add the grains. Then lower the heat and let it cook until they are tender. This may take around 30-40 minutes. We take it out of the water and let it drain.

While the grain is boiling, in a saucepan we heat the honey over low heat until it is liquid. Add the almonds and chopped walnuts, stirring well and cooking for a few minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the dried apricots, prunes and raisins.

Now we can assemble the Kutiá. We add the cooked grains to the dried fruit mixture. We pour the hot honey with almonds and walnuts over the grains and fruits. Add the cinnamon powder and a pinch of salt (salt helps make it sweeter).

We mix all the ingredients until they are well combined.

Now a time of rest is necessary. We cover the bowl and let the kutiá rest for at least 2-3 hours.

It is served in individual bowls and if you want you can decorate it with more nuts.

Taking into account that it is one of the first dishes served at the Polish Christmas dinner, you have to be quite hungry to finish the whole xmas meal !