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Firik pilavı
Firik pilavı: Gaziantep's smoky green-wheat pilaf with onion, tomato paste and chickpeas
Each June farmers around Gaziantep cut wheat while it is still green and burn off the husks in the field, which gives firik its gentle campfire smell. Cooked as a pilaf with onion, pepper paste and a handful of chickpeas, it has a chewy, nutty bite that sits well beside grilled kebabs or simply a bowl of ayran and a tomato salad. It is the everyday grain of the region's home kitchens, cheaper than rice and more filling. Rinse the grains well: grit and bits of chaff are common in firik. Chef's tip: let it rest under a tea towel for ten minutes after cooking; the steam finishes the grains and they separate beautifully.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Warm 3 tbsp olive oil in a heavy pan over a medium heat and soften 1 onion and 1 long green pepper for 6 minutes, until sweet and lightly golden.
6 minStep 2: Stir in 1 tbsp Turkish red pepper paste and 1 tbsp tomato paste and fry for 1 minute, until the oil turns brick red.
1 minStep 3: Add 9 oz freekeh (cracked smoked green wheat) and stir for 2 minutes to toast the grains in the oil.
2 minStep 4: Add 7 oz cooked chickpeas, 2 ½ cups hot vegetable stock, 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer on the lowest heat for 20–25 minutes, until the liquid has gone and small holes appear on the surface.
25 minStep 5: Turn off the heat, lay a clean tea towel under the lid and rest for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and scatter with 1 tsp pul biber (Aleppo chilli flakes) if you like.
10 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 60 g
- Fat
- 11 g
- Fibre
- 13 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does firik pilavı take?
- About 45 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of cooked chickpeas?
- Cannellini or butter beans, same amount.
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