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Foodgeek: |
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Rating: |
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Servings: |
8 servings |
Prep. Time: |
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Total Time: |
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Ingredients: |
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1-1/2 cups wheat kernels, soaked in warm water for 24 hours, and then strained
4-1/2 cups water or milk (or more)
3/4 cup poppy seeds
2/3 cup sliced, roasted almonds or (walnuts)
1/2 cup honey or more to taste
2/3 cup chopped, dry apricots (optional)
1/2 cup raisins
1 pinch salt, or to taste
1 dash cinnamon
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Directions:
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In a medium pot, combine wheat kernels and milk. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 3 hours. Add more liquid as necessary to keep kernels covered. Scald the poppy seeds with boiling water, drain, and add lukewarm water to cover. Soak 30 minutes, drain and grind in a food processor.
Set aside. Drain water from wheat kernels and keep 1/2 cup of the liquid. Add the honey to the liquid and mix well. Mix kernels, honey, ground poppy seeds, almonds, apricots, raisins, and salt.
Bake in a 2-quart casserole dish, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 20 minutes.
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. Kutia can be refrigerated for up to two weeks.
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Comments from olga
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Christmas in Ukraine:
Svyata Vechera, the Holy Supper, was an important feast on both the Uniate and Orthodox Christian calendars. Before partaking of this Christmas Eve meal, the family would fast all day. The house was cleaned, but no outside work was done. Everyone wore their festival clothing. The meal began with the sighting of the first star in the eastern sky, a task assigned to the children. In days past, crowds of children would carry a wooden star of Bethlehem that held a candle in the center. They would sing traditional Christmas songs and be rewarded with treats:
The usual number of dishes ranged from twelve (representing the number of apostles) to nine or seven, considered magical numbers. Sheaves of wheat or rye, symbols of fertility, were placed under icons of the Virgin and Child. Hay from the first harvest was scattered on the table, and the table was set with a cloth.
A large Kolach, a type of bread, was placed in the center and set with candles. An extra plate for the unexpected guest remained on the table until the end of the meal. A dish of salt and another of honey were set at the host's place, and he would dip small pieces of kolach in each bowl. These would be given to each member of the household with the words, "Chrystos razdayet'sia!" (Christ is born!) After the meal the host would visit the barn animals, and added kutia (flummery) to their feed. The animals were thought to have the power of human speech on Christmas Eve, a reward for their service to Christ on the night of His birth.
Kutia is the most sacred of all Slavic ritual dishes, eaten only at important festivals. Many people like its sweet taste and crunchy texture. This cereal is usually the first dish served on Svyata Vechera, when the the head of household invites the souls of departed family members to the meal.
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