Wheatberry Soup Recipes

WHEATBERRY SOUP

Steps:

• Place navy beans in large bowl and wheat berries in a separate bowl.
• Bring 6 cups water to boil and pour half of water over beans and half over wheat berries.
• Set both aside for two hours.
• Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add onion, leek, celery, carrot and garlic.
• Stir until soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes.
• Drain the beans and add them to the vegetables.
• Stir to coat.
• Add broth, boquet garni and bay leaf.
• Cover the saucepan, increase heat to medium high, and bring to a boil.
• Lover the heat to medium low and simmer until the beans have cooked, about an hour.
• Remove boquet garni and bay leaf, and transfer the soup to a food processor or blender.
• Blend in short pulses to make a chunky soup rather than a puree.
• Return the soup to the pan, Or use an immersion blender to process soup in pan.
• Drain the wheat berries and add them to the saucepan Bring soup to a boil again over medium high heat, cover and lower heat to medium low.
• Simmer until the wheat berries are tender, about 50 minutes.
• Stir often to keep the wheat berries from sticking to the pot, Just before serving, stir in the lemon juice, and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

CUMIN-SCENTED WHEAT BERRY-LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• PREPARE THE WHEAT BERRIES IN ADVANCE (makes ~2 1/4 cups) -
• Sort through wheat berries carefully, discarding any stones. Rinse well under cool running water. Place in a large heavy saucepan. Add water and salt.
• Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat, cover and simmer gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Drain and rinse.
• PREPARE THE SOUP (makes about 6, 1 2/3 cup servings) -
• Combine lentils, broth and water in a dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat, cover and simmer gently until the lentils are tender, but not mushy, 25 to 30 minutes (brown lentils take a little longer to cook than green).
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add carrots, onion, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to brown, about 15 minutes. Add garlic and cumin and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds more. Remove from the heat.
• When lentils are tender, stir cooked wheat berries and chard into the pot. Cover and simmer until the chard has wilted, about 5 minutes. Stir in the carrot mixture and lemon juice.
• Serve with warm crusty bread.

WINTER WHEAT SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium stockpot, bring the wheat berries and 13 cups (3.25 liters) water to a boil [for added flavor, replace some or all of the water with Garlic Broth ]. Lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 50 minutes, or until the wheat berries are almost cooked through, but not mushy.
• Stir in the carrot, parsnips, turnip, and leeks. Return to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in the sweet potato and celery. Simmer for 10 more minutes.
• Stir in the celery leaves and salt. Simmer for 1 minute. Add the cilantro and simmer for 1 minute. Season with pepper.

OLD-SCHOOL BEAN SOUP WITH WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• Place ham bone in a slow cooker. Pour in enough water to cover. Cook on Low until you have a fragrant stock, 12 to 15 hours.
• Place navy beans, cranberry beans, and wheat berries in a large container and cover with several inches of cool water; let soak, 8 hours to overnight. Drain.
• Remove ham bone from stock. Add beans and wheat berries. Stir in celery salt, thyme, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Cook on High until beans are tender yet firm to the bite, about 4 hours.
• Stir lentils into the slow cooker. Cook on High until tender, about 1 hour. Season with salt and black pepper. Serve soup topped with diced tomatoes, avocado, and green onions.