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Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate

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Cracked freekeh is tossed in a creamy tahini vinaigrette with chickpeas, pomegranates and almonds to create a crunchy and addictive whole grain side dish or meatless main.

Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate - The Lemon Bowl

It’s time to kick off Week 4 of the Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge with one of my favorite ingredients of all time: whole grains! As you know, I’ve been eating whole grains my entire life. I grew up eating buckwheat pancakes, steel cut oats, whole wheat bread and bulgur wheat pilaf instead of white rice.

Spelt-Tabbouleh-with-Jalapeno-Vinaigrette-The-Lemon-Bowl

Now that I’m cooking for my own family, not much has changed. In addition to those timeless classics, I also love finding new and creative ways to incorporate farro, spelt, quinoa and other ancient grains into my family’s diet on a daily basis. In fact, my very first blog post features another oldie but goodie: wheat berries!

Freekeh

Needless to say, one of my longest and most treasured brand partnerships is with Bob’s Red Mill, my trusted resource for everything whole grain including whole wheat pastry flour, flax seed meal and much, much more. One of my new favorite grains is Freekeh, a young green wheat that has been toasted and cracked. It reminds me of a nuttier version of the bulgur wheat my mom made me as a kid.

Freekeh Salad with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate - The Lemon Bowl

Freekeh, like any whole grain, is ideal for making ahead in a large batch and using throughout the week sprinkled in soups, tossed in to salads or as a simple side dish on it’s own. Unlike traditional pasta, a baked potato or white rice, freekeh and other whole grains are complex carbohydrates. Due to the higher content of fiber and protein, they take longer for your body to break down which keeps you satisfied longer. (Read: not craving 20 more french fries because you don’t feel full.)  

Butternut Squash and Grain Salad with Toasted Almonds and Goat Cheese - The Lemon Bowl

This week, in honor of the Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge, I urge you to swap out at least one refined carbohydrate a day with a whole grain. Dara has cooked up an incredible Hearty Mushroom, Farro and Ginger Soup you won’t want to miss.

Here are a few more recipes to get you going:

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough from Two Peas & Their Pod
Cheesy Quinoa Vegetable Bake from Buns in My Oven
Banana Almond Teff Porridge from Eating Bird Food
Butternut Squash and Spelt Salad with Goat Cheese from The Lemon Bowl
Whole Wheat Yogurt Banana Bread with Cinnamon from Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Brown Rice and Bean Salad with Hot Sauce Dressing from Cookin’ Canuck

Your fork is waiting.

Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate - The Lemon Bowl
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Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 
Cracked freekeh is tossed in a creamy tahini vinaigrette with chickpeas, pomegranates and almonds to create a crunchy and addictive whole grain side dish or meatless main.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Servings: 4
Calories: 412 kcal
Author: Liz DellaCroce
Ingredients
  • 1 cup uncooked Bob's Red Mill Whole Grain Cracked Freekeh
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds about 1 fruit
  • 15 ounce can chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 cup blanched almond slices toasted
  • 1 juice of lemon
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 clove garlic grated
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
US Measurements - Convert to Metric
Instructions
  1. Prepare freekeh according to package instructions then place in a large bowl.
  2. Add pomegranate seeds and chickpeas to the bowl with the freekeh.
  3. Toast almond slices in a 350 degree oven until slightly brown, 5-7 minutes, then add to the bowl.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, tahini, warm water, garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzle over the freekeh, pomegranate and chickpeas then toss well.
  5. Stir in toasted almonds and fresh parsley to serve.
Recipe Notes

Can be served warm, room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition Facts
Freekeh with Tahini, Chickpeas and Pomegranate
Amount Per Serving
Calories 412 Calories from Fat 130
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 14.4g 22%
Saturated Fat 1.2g 6%
Trans Fat 0g
Polyunsaturated Fat 13.2g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 612mg 26%
Total Carbohydrates 61.6g 21%
Dietary Fiber 16.2g 65%
Sugars 9.3g
Protein 17.4g 35%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclosure: We are thrilled to have Bob’s Red Mill as a sponsor of the Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Lemon Bowl possible. As always, all thoughts are my own.

Healthy New Year 6-Week Challenge Logo - The Lemon Bowl

A challenge is always so much more fun, and dare we say easier, when you have challenge buddies to keep you motivated and exchange ideas with.  Dara and I are excited to share ideas with all of you in our Facebook group, and on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #HealthyNewYear.  Be sure to tag Dara (@cookincanuck) and me (@thelemonbowl) on Instagram when you post a #HealthyNewYear photo, and feel free to share your photos, ideas and questions in the Facebook group.
 
Let’s kick off 2015 together, and help each other to make it the healthiest and happiest year yet!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I’ve never come across Freekeh before. But this salad recipe seems absolutely divine. It will take me a while to acquire the ingredients. Especially Freekeh, which I have never heard of before. But would love to try it out.

    Reply

  3. I had a major restocking my pantry week this week and bought a ton of Bob’s Red Mill grains…so this salad is HAPPENING. Freekeh is one of my favorites!

    Reply

  14. HOLY freekah this looks good! sorry I couldn’t help myself LOL! I have never tried freekah or faro…I need to branch out in the grains department!

    Reply

  17. I have a HUGE bag of freekeh I bought a while back at Costco staring at me in the pantry!! I have never cooked or tasted freekeh but I’m so intrigued. I love this dish, especially with that tahini (another ingredient staring at me). This looks delicious Liz!

    Reply

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