Bahraini Harees
Harees is a traditional Bahraini dish made from cracked wheat and meat (typically chicken or lamb), slow-cooked to a creamy, porridge-like consistency. It's a hearty and comforting dish, often served during celebrations and Ramadan.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Wheat berries (harees wheat)
- 1 kg Bone-in chicken or lamb
- 6 cups Water(plus more as needed)
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- to taste Salt
- for serving Butter or ghee
- for garnish Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Rinse the wheat berries thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Drain well and soak in fresh water for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- 2
In a large pot, add the chicken or lamb and 6 cups of water. Poach over medium heat until the meat is tender. Remove the meat from the stock, debone, and shred or chop it. Skim the stock and set aside.
- 3
Drain the soaked wheat berries and add them to a new large pot. Add enough reserved stock (about three fingers above the wheat), cinnamon sticks, and salt. Cook over medium heat until the wheat berries are very tender, about 1.5-2 hours, adding more stock as it evaporates.
- 4
Add the shredded or chopped meat to the pot with the wheat. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens. Mash the mixture using a potato masher or immersion blender until smooth and creamy. Alternatively, blend in batches in a food processor and return to the pot.
- 5
Continue cooking over low heat for another 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the Harees reaches a thick, creamy consistency. Remove cinnamon sticks before serving.
- 6
To serve, ladle the Harees into bowls. Top each serving with a knob of butter or ghee and a sprinkle of black pepper.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a smoother consistency, you can use an immersion blender or food processor to mash the cooked wheat and meat.
- ✓Adjust the amount of liquid to achieve your desired consistency; it should be thick but still pourable.
- ✓Harees can be made ahead of time and reheated gently with a little water or stock if it becomes too thick.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg for added aroma.
- For a sweeter version, a sprinkle of sugar can be added during the final cooking stage.