Savory Whole Grain Wheat Berry Pilaf with Vegetables
This Savory Whole Grain Wheat Berry Pilaf is a delightful and nutritious dish that the whole family will love! Packed with hearty wheat berries, vibrant vegetables, and optional sweet and crunchy add-ins, this recipe is designed to please even the pickiest palates, including my adorable 20-month-old daughter who absolutely devoured it! Whole grains can be intimidating, but this pilaf simplifies the process, making it easy and utterly delicious. The combination of sautéed onions, garlic, carrots, and mushrooms creates a savory flavor profile, while the addition of raisins and diced apples adds a hint of sweetness and texture. Whether enjoyed as a side dish or transformed into a wholesome entrée with grilled chicken or shrimp, this recipe allows you to customize it according to your mood. Embrace the goodness of whole foods with this easy and approachable recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
wheat berries
1 cup (rinsed)
water
2 cups (for boiling)
bouillon cubes
2 (chicken or veggie broth)
olive oil
3 tablespoons (for sautéing)
red onion
1 large (chopped small)
garlic cloves
3 large (minced)
carrots
3 large (chopped small)
cremini mushrooms
2 cups (chopped)
eggs
2 (beaten)
fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon (to taste)
onion salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
raisins
1/2 cup (optional)
gala apple
1 (diced, optional)
slivered almonds
1/2 cup (optional)
Instructions
1
Rinse the wheat berries thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris.
2
In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil and dissolve the bouillon cubes, stirring until fully melted.
3
Add the rinsed wheat berries to the boiling broth, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pan.
4
Cook for 45 to 50 minutes, occasionally checking, until most of the liquid is absorbed and the grains are firm yet chewy.
5
While the wheat berries are cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
6
Add the chopped red onions to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes until they become translucent.
7
Lower the heat to medium and stir in the minced garlic and chopped carrots; cook for an additional 3 minutes until the carrots are slightly tender.
8
Next, add the chopped cremini mushrooms and continue sautéing until their liquid has evaporated, approximately 10 minutes.
9
Once the vegetables are ready, push them to one side of the skillet and use the free space to scramble the beaten eggs until cooked through.
10
Combine the cooked wheat berries with the vegetable mixture in the skillet, then add the fresh ground pepper, onion salt, and any optional ingredients like raisins, diced apples, or slivered almonds.
11
Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until heated through. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
12
Serve warm and enjoy your wholesome and delicious pilaf!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main ingredients in Savory Whole Grain Wheat Berry Pilaf?
The main ingredients include wheat berries, bouillon cubes, olive oil, red onion, garlic, carrots, cremini mushrooms, and eggs.
How long does it take to cook the wheat berries?
The wheat berries should be simmered for 45 to 50 minutes until they are firm yet chewy.
Do I need to rinse the wheat berries before cooking?
Yes, you should rinse the wheat berries thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris before starting.
Can this recipe be made vegetarian?
Yes, by using vegetable bouillon cubes instead of chicken broth, this recipe is suitable for vegetarians.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Absolutely! The recipe description notes that even a 20-month-old daughter loved it, making it very kid-friendly.
What kind of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 cups of chopped cremini mushrooms.
What are the optional sweet add-ins?
Optional sweet ingredients include 1/2 cup of raisins and one diced Gala apple.
How many eggs are used in this pilaf?
The recipe uses 2 beaten eggs, which are scrambled directly in the skillet with the vegetables.
What type of onion is recommended?
One large red onion, chopped small, is recommended for this recipe.
How much water is needed to cook the wheat berries?
You will need 2 cups of water to cook 1 cup of wheat berries.
What seasonings are used for flavor?
The dish is seasoned with fresh ground pepper and onion salt to taste.
Can I add nuts to this dish?
Yes, 1/2 cup of slivered almonds can be added for extra crunch as an optional ingredient.
How should I prepare the garlic?
You should use 3 large garlic cloves and mince them finely.
How do I cook the eggs in the skillet?
Push the sautéed vegetables to one side of the skillet and use the free space to scramble the beaten eggs until cooked through.
What is the texture of cooked wheat berries?
When properly cooked, wheat berries should be firm yet chewy.
What kind of apple is suggested for this recipe?
The recipe suggests using one diced Gala apple.
How long should I sauté the mushrooms?
Sauté the cremini mushrooms for approximately 10 minutes until their liquid has evaporated.
Can I serve this as a main course?
Yes, it can be transformed into a wholesome entrée by adding grilled chicken or shrimp.
How long do the carrots and garlic need to cook?
After adding the garlic and carrots to the onions, cook them for an additional 3 minutes until the carrots are slightly tender.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing the vegetables.
What should I do after combining the berries and vegetables?
Stir everything together and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the entire mixture is heated through.
How long do the onions need to sauté?
The chopped red onions should be sautéed for about 5 minutes until they become translucent.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy, nutritious, and whole-grain recipe.
What type of bouillon cubes can I use?
You can use either chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes to make the broth.
How many carrots are needed?
The recipe calls for 3 large carrots, chopped small.
Can this dish be served cold?
While the recipe suggests serving it warm, it can also be enjoyed at your preference.
What is the heat setting for the skillet?
Start with medium-high heat for the onions, then lower it to medium for the garlic and carrots.
How many bouillon cubes are used?
The recipe uses 2 bouillon cubes dissolved in the boiling water.
Is this recipe easy for beginners?
Yes, the description notes that this recipe simplifies the process of cooking whole grains, making it easy and approachable.
Should the pan be covered while cooking wheat berries?
Yes, after adding the berries to the boiling broth and reducing the heat, you should cover the pan.