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Wheat Berry Bowl with Merguez and Pomegranate

5.0

(2)

Image may contain Plant Food Produce Vegetable Bean and Lentil
Photo by Bobbi Lin

Cooked a big batch of grains on Sunday? Congratulations—you’re halfway to a weeknight dinner.

Ingredient Info

Za’atar, a spice blend of herbs, sumac, and sesame seeds, is available at Middle Eastern markets, specialty foods stores, and online.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

2 cups wheat berries
Kosher salt
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 pound merguez sausage, casings removed
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1/2 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, divided
2 teaspoons za’atar, plus more for serving
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup coarsely chopped mint, plus leaves for serving
4 scallions, thinly sliced, divided
3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced into rounds

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Simmer wheat berries in a large saucepan of salted water until grains are tender and hulls have just started to split open (cook time will vary and can take up to 1 hour). Drain and rinse under cold water, then thoroughly drain again. Transfer to a large bowl.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and crisp, 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon.

    Step 3

    Mix garlic, yogurt, 1 Tbsp. oil, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, and 2 tsp. za’atar in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Set yogurt sauce aside.

    Step 4

    Add pomegranate seeds, chopped mint, half of scallions, remaining 2 Tbsp. oil, and remaining 1 Tbsp. lemon juice to bowl with wheat berries and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.

    Step 5

    Divide wheat berry mixture among bowls and top with cucumbers, sausage, and remaining scallions. Drizzle with reserved yogurt sauce, scatter mint leaves over, and sprinkle with more za’atar.

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