Lots of food fun to come!
Ever had an Asian pear? I LOVE them!! Like an apple-pear cross with a hint of vanilla.
Ever had wheatberries!? An old favorite returns!
I used to make a pot of wheatberries weekly to throw into my oats every morning. Guess I got busy. They are back!
A long time ago I got tired of overnight soaking and long simmers, so now I just do an abbreviated method. It seems to work just fine!
I cover them in water like you would pasta
And then bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 26 minutes. They’re pretty darn chewy, so you could give them another +10 minutes if you want them more tender, but who wants to wait that long 🙂
Drain them 90% (because they will dry out if you don’t leave a litttle water) and chomp down.
Dinner tonight was created on the spot and was a HUGE winner!
A block of extra firm tofu, cut into very large cubes (Matt’s idea that I loved!)
Patty pans from the market
Oooo I’m gonna make you sweat
Beer, of course. He loves it.
This was a Lambic beer – which has to do with bacteria and produces a very sour taste. I didn’t think I’d like it, but it reminded me of a cross between hard cider and chardonnay, so I liked it!
My taste
He also loves to cook!
We sauteed the pattypan in the usual (garlic gold, salt, pepper) and the tofu the same way in a different batch – just let them sit until they brown!
I was in charge of the wheatberries and the dressing.
Lemon Herb Dressing
Juice of half a lemon
This much mustard
This much Garlic Gold (or EVOO)
This much dried dill (or fresh if you’re lucky!)
Sea salt + black pepper
Handful of basil
Chopped
Layers of wheatberries, squash, tofu, then dressing, then a wee bit of goat cheese + parmesan and…
Some Halvah by Rejuvenative Foods [of the same line of the Pecan Pie Butter I debuted a while back that was a bit pricey]. The Halvah is much less expensive – $13. It’s quite interesting.
It’s like a thick paste made from sesame seeds and honey. It was sweet and dry – I’m not sure it would melt very well on oats, but I crumbled a few pieces onto my dinner for a little burst of flavor and enjoyed it a lot [It’s also come with me to 3 different houses during my move! Don’t know why it’s taken me a while to try out!]
This dinner TOTALLY ROCKED!! The burst of lemony herbs with the chewy wheatberries, the soft crispy tofu, crunchy tender squash, tangy cheese, sweet Halvah…
We began our evening outside..
But we were swarmed by mosquitoes
So we moved indoors.
Wrapped up all of my online work for the day and now we’re going to watch High Fidelity, which neither of us have ever seen!
See you turkeys tomorrow!
Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks says
It’s cubed tofu day! I just had some in my rice salad, pressed with a TofuXpress so it was nice and firm. So good!
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
What a creative dinner! I love all those flavor combos!
Enjoy the movie 🙂
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is says
I love asian pears too. Get so excited when I find them at the store!
Liza @ Health Nutting says
That dinner looks sooo good! I have been wanting to try wheatberries– thank you for the tutorial, I think I’ll try it! 🙂 And I love halvah! I never thought of using it it like that because I always see it in bar form like a candy? That looks so delish though!
Rachael says
Yum! I LOVE the chew of wheatberries! I’m totally all about texture 🙂
Camille says
I’ve never had an asian pear, but they are gorgeous!
I definitely need to hunt one down!
Simply Life says
ooh, I’ve never had an asian pair – looks fun!
Christina says
You’ve piqued my interest with the wheatberries, I’m going to give them a try! And I’ve never seen Halvah in a jar before, interesting, it’s usually sold in bar form.
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says
Thank you for featuring wheatberries!!! I always get them from Earth Fare and LOVE them!… but didn’t know how to make ’em. YAY, so excited to try ’em 🙂
rebecca lustig says
ok so many things id like to say:
1. love the color of your walls
2. man that cooks= keeper
3. at first i was like ‘ehh woudl i like that beer’? then you gave the description. now i want some! hehe
4. ive never had an asian pear!! yum
5. enjoy your night 🙂
Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ says
Thanks for the tips on the wheat berries. I tried to make them before and they were WAY too firm. I’m going to try them again this way. I love them on salads.
Erin says
Looks like a great (almost) fall dinner. 😉 I used to eat Asian pears daily in Korea, where they are sold on every streetcorner, but haven’t tried one since being back in the US.
j says
Ohhh mosquitos! Here in NJ they are a constant spring/summer/fall problem! After the first frost?………gone. Love your new place and photos of cooking hubby:)
Callie says
Asian pears are my favorite. 🙂
Sweet and crispy.
erica says
i LOVE asian pears! so yummy 🙂
i’ve got to try this garlic gold!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
i’ve always seen asian pears but never tried one…now i think i better hit up the store for ’em!
Heather says
yuck I hate misquitos! they can really kill an outdoor meal!
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates) says
There is a little cafe here that makes the best wheat berry salad – it has diced apples in it, it’s sweet and tangy – so good!
Mimi says
Thanks so much for the wheatberries tutorial. I love the nutty, chewy texture, but I never actually knew how to make them!
Katheryn says
I love asian pears! Super yum. I used to eat wheatberries all the time, but got out of the habit. Thanks for the reminder!
Michelle (The Runner's Plate) says
Yum, I just bought some wheatberries, I should give this recipe a try!!
Krystina says
LOVE wheatberries!
Heather says
I have never had an asian pear but I love your description! Need to be on the lookout for them!
Chelsea says
I love wheatberries! I also have forgotten about them..I have some in my pantry but I keep forgetting to simmer them. Most likely just out of laziness. Your dinners are always so creative! Looks great – fresh herbs really make all the difference.
Priyanka says
Love your dinner. What a strange thing, halvah is also the name of an Indian dessert (halwa) made out of semolina and milk. Or carrot halwa, where the carrot is cooked with milk. Something like a dry pudding!
I am curious how this halvah tasted ?!
Kath says
Literally like sesame and honey mashed up!
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
Wheatberries are so good! I love them in salads.
Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat) says
that is totally my favorite movie! Enjoy!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
That looks SO good! I’ve never had wheat berries before but I saw them the other day at EarthFare. Thanks for the tutorial! 🙂
Marcia says
Wow, that salad dressing looks totally rockin’. I just got a lemon from the CSA, so I’d have tried it, except I already made up a balsamic.
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
I love how you just put that together. I’ve never tried Wheatberries, but I have always wanted to.
Dynamics says
Plant Rosemary by your porch and it will help with the mosquito’s. There are other plants also that work. Here are two ways to keep mosquito’s away that my cousin swears by and he lives in Minnesota the land of 10,000 lakes and lots of mosquito’s Put Listerine mouthwash in a spray bottle and spray the area you are sitting in. The second way to keep them away is to put a dryer sheet in your back pocket. The rosemary plant works for me and I have not had the need to try the other two ways. Hope this info helps.
Kate says
Looks good! I love High Fidelity by the way. It’s in my Top Five 😉 Hope you enjoy it!
Kath says
Haha – got the joke!
kate says
Ive had some wheatberries hanging in my cupboard for a while now. I need to get down to business and make them already!
Chelsey says
26 minutes huh? you are oh so precise!! 🙂
Wei-Wei says
That sounds like such an amazing meal! I love Asian pears by the way, I’m not used to eating non-Asian pears! 🙂
holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I love eating dinner outside, but the mosquitos drive me nuts too.
What a beautiful meal! Enjoy the movie, I’ve never seen it either.
SB says
Re: Halva. I have never seen it come in a jar. My parents are Israeli and Halva is a staple there and among many Middle Easterners. There are different flavors but they generally come in blocks or in flatter pans. The base is always sesame seeds and sugar but there is also chocolate, marbled chocolate, pistachio, vanilla,and chocolate covered of all of the above. My father always ate it spread on bread- usually with butter- YUM!!!. I’ve had it in desserts for passover which had it melted together with dark chocolate spread on softened layers of matzo (softened in sweet wine) to make a cake and-ohmygosh=so incredibly delicious. So give it a try and you may go to an Middle Eastern grocery for a more authentic version. We Americans are totally missing out on a really yummy treat.
emily says
I 2nd this! I can’t exactly picture what jarred halvah would be like but I think you would LOVE it in block form Kath.
Joanne says
Wonderful pics. Everything looks great.
I found a new tofu I just LOVE. It’s from Sunergia but I can’t find any place to
buy it. Such a bummer! I’m trying to get the co. to sell me a case because I’m pretty sure you can freeze tofu without a problem.
Anyway – if you ever come across Sunergia tofu. You just have to try it and let me know what you think.
Hannah says
That halvah seems a bit odd to me – I’ve never seen it in a jar, only as solid blocks! Love it, though. High in calcium, so it’s healthy, right? 😀
Amy says
Yum, that looks so good!
Hope you don’t mind but I mentioned you in a post of mine…
Thanks for the inspiration!
Aimee
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman says
Sounds like a great evening:)
Sara says
hey kath,
please, please, please buy yourself some decent havah that someone from the MIddle East would actually eat if you really want to try it —
try your local middle eastern or israeli/kosher market…
Sabina says
Do you have a rice cooker? If yes, try cooking wheatberries in it the next time you make them. It’s super easy, energy efficient, and doesn’t require babysitting. If you don’t have a rice cooker, think of getting one. Mine is indispensable – cooks any grain, has a steamer on top for dual grain cooking and veg steaming. I haven’t tried OATS in it yet, but imagine, it would work just fine. 🙂
Kath says
I don’t have one! I would like one, but I just can’t justify it if I can make something on the stove!?
Sabina says
We try and minimize our stove use; it’s not really an energy efficient model (we’re renters). I’m pretty abysmal at cooking rice on the stove. With the rice cooker, it (and other grains) turn out perfectly every time. I’ve seen small ones (4 cups?) for less than $30, so it’s not a huge investment (say, like a Vitamix… something I want but can’t justify, as my Kitchen Aid blender and food processor work just fine. 😉 ).
Lele says
That is the terrible thing about Virginia summers- you’ve got the nice weather, the beautiful trees, the chirping crickets, and you go out and it seems like it’ll be so lovely… and then the mosquitos invade.
Kath says
Maybe it’s just traditional havlah inspired in the jar??
Mandy A says
I have been such a wimp about trying wheatberries! Thank you for the help 🙂 I have no excuse now!
Dinner looked gorgeous!!!
Mosquitoes have been horrible in Nashville this year, too! Can’t go outside for ten minutes without being eaten alive!
Meg says
I la la looove Asian pears! Dinner looks amaazzinng, as usual!
Paige @Running Around Normal says
SO many foods I’ve never heard of before! Never had an Asian pear – but it sounds delicious! And I’d swear you made up the word pattypan if I didn’t know better 😉
Looks like a fantastic dinner.
Melissa says
How did you make the tofu? I keep screwing up tofu and ruining it, but I am determined to learn how to make this squishy food into something delicious. Please, please, please help 🙂
Kath says
The Front Burner has an excellent tofu tutorial!
Eliz says
Yum! I love pattypan squash! So cute and delicious!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
That dinner really does look pretty good for being thrown together!
Cara says
Asian Pears are just coming into season here in South Korea…Now is a great season for produce….we are still getting nectarines and white peaches and pears are starting to pop up. Yeah! Great smoothie days ahead!
Jenn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
Your dinner looks so good! I like the big chunks of tofu, they look fun to eat. 😀
Jenn
Amy says
I liked that movie! Your dinner has peaked my interest, though I have to admit I’m not sure of how you thought up that combo!
Zeus' Mom says
Yikes, that’s some overpriced Halvah. You can find it MUCH cheaper in cans at Middle Eastern stores or in the ethnic aisle of the grocery store. That stuff is so friggin yummy!
Jessica@tastyandtrim says
A cross between an apple and a pear sounds like something I would adore! I must find some asian pears 🙂
Annie@stronghealthyfit says
Mm looks so yummy! I need to try wheatberries soon.
Hope you liked HIgh Fidelity! I love that movie.
La. says
Oh, thank you for the tutorial on wheat berries! I just bought some and I was unsure of the soaking method. I didn’t even have to do a search! Thank you Kath!
Rebekah @ Rebeltarian says
I have been getting asian pears in my CSA share for weeks. I LOVE them! I freaked out when I saw how exspensive they were the other day at whole foods.
Paula says
Ah yes! That diner looks perfect. I have some forgotten wheat berries that need to be used. Thanks for the quick cooking tip!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
when i was a kid i hated asian pears but now i love ’em. ever had them with salt? that’s the way the asians eat ’em!
haven’t seen high fidelity since it was in theaters. the bald guy who works in the record store with jack black is my neighbor.
Amy Pea says
The same actor from Jerry Maguire who plays the nanny? I like him, he’s good!
Kath says
No way!!
Madeline - Greens and Jeans says
High Fidelity is maybe my favorite movie. It’s also the only movie that I loved as much as the book!
Marina says
Interesting dinner. I never found a way too make a patypan squash yummy, but this maybe a good recipe to try it again 🙂
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs says
I desperatly want some wheatberries, cos that whole meal looks SO delicious!!!
Anna says
That meal may be tasty, but it just seems off to me. Why not try real Halvah and give it a shot the way it s supposed to be eaten? And please, please tell me you don’t mean that you add pasta to cold water? It should be added to boiling water and left to boil without a lid until al dente. I am sure you know that, but with Americans I am always shocked at how you can mistreat good food…
Kori says
I’m pretty sure that Kath is quite skilled at cooking, especially pasta. She was only meaning that you add plenty of water to a pot for wheatberries as is done for cooking pasta. I really do not appreciate your comment that “but with Americans I am always shocked at how you can mistreat good food”. Don’t you think that’s a pretty bold statement? I don’t feel that I “mistreat” food AT ALL! You definitely sound just a bit biased and rude.
Kath says
My intention was not to try an authentic halvah – it was to use up a product in my kitchen. And wheatberries are NOT pasta and you don’t cook them the same. I agree, your comment was on the rude side..
Marcia says
Yep, that’s a problem with us Americans. We like everything.
I mean, really. I’ve got friends from everywhere. India, China, Korea, Malaysia, Denmark, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, etc. etc. etc. And on occasion, before eating, one will say “I don’t know if you Americans will like this”. And I always do. Love the “authentic” foods.
But I like the Americanized versions too, and I think that’s what often frustrates some foreigners. You gotta work with what you’ve got. “How can I get that flavor without shopping at 5 different specialty stores?” or “how can I make a good curry, when I have these three vegetables, but not those three?” Answer: don’t be picky.
Lauren says
Beautiful dinner! I love it when simply tossing ingredients together results in a delicious and satisfying meal. The crispy tofu looks fantastic.
I may need to follow your lead and bring wheatberries back into my life as well. As soon as pumpkin is back on store’s shelves, I’m going to drown myself in pumpkin & wheatberry oats!
By the way, I’ve become a daily reader of Laura’s blog and really like it – I live in Boston and it’s great to have another Beantown-based food blog!
Kath says
Oh fun!! It took me a while to realize who “Laura” was – I always call her Larbs!! 🙂
Laura (Starloz) says
Oh mmm geee, I love extra firm tofu in huge chunks.
Your dressing sounds delicious
Lauren at KeepItSweet says
i have never seen halvah that way!! i am going to have to make wheatberries one of these days…
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
I love cooking with my husband! Asian pears are so good. I love crisp sweet fruit so that totally hits the spot. I hope your hand is doing better! Dinner looks delicious!
Ok Chick says
I feel in love with Asian pears when I was in Japan. I’ve found that the ones in OKC aren’t as great as the ones in Japan, but you know that’s to be expected. 🙂
Erin says
Where do you get your wheatberries? I tasted some in a friend’s salad yesterday and was pleasantly surprised by the nice texture, and would like to try them.
I also have resisted a rice cooker, as we live in a teensy apt. and I don’t have much room for another appliance, but it sounds tempting especially if it’s more fool proof. Rice is a testy thing – easy to overcook/ruin.
Kath says
Whole Foods bulk bin
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says
Mmm…I’m always looking for new ways to use up tofu. I usually grill mine, but this recipe sounds fabulous. Definitely giving it a try. 😀
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
This dinner looks great! Dill and lemon always pair so well together!
I hope you enjoyed High Fidelity. I LOVE that movie and book!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun) says
High Fidelity is easily one of my favorite movies and soundtracks. Enjoy!
That dinner looks rad, such a creative recipe improvisation!
Ian says
<3 wheat berries; I use the same quicker method you do. The chewiness is awesome!
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef says
i love asian pears! yum!
Jess @ Jessica is Getting Fit says
I’ve never had an asian pear – I’ll have to look for them at the grocery store as they sound yummy.
How did you like High Fidelity? It’s one of my favorite movies and even more loved novels! Nick Hornsby is a great British writer!
Kath says
I liked it!!
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
I’ve never had an asian pear, but your description makes me want one!
I’ve never had whole wheatberries either. I did grow up around several families who milled their own wheatberries and made their own bread out of it. My local grass-fed/organic meat rancher also sells wheatberries, but I haven’t purchased any from them (yet).
Kathryn says
Mmmm, that salad looks so yummy!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing says
I really like lambic! I was never much of a beer fan until I tried lambic and that’s what got me started on trying some good beers and learning that I did in fact like some of them :). I think you’re right – it’s a bit like wine, which was the initial appeal!
Monica says
Great movie! With a great soundtrack! Hope you both liked it. 🙂
Ally says
I loved the book, so much so that I couldn’t get through more than 15 minutes of the movie. I was so annoyed at how they changed the location and character. I think I should have watched the movie first. Have you read the book?
neen@ Broad Bean to Runner Bean says
what a lovely creative dinner!