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Koliva
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Koliva

Of Greek origin, koliva is one of the most traditional foods in the Balkans during Orthodox burials and mortuary rituals.

Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 486 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Serbian

Ingredients

  • 7 oz. white wheat kernels whole
  • 10 cups water or more (for cooking, boiling
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 10 oz. walnuts kernels
  • 4 oz. almonds lightly roasted, blanched
  • 6 oz. icing sugar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
For the garnish
  • 3 tablespoons almonds slivered
  • walnut kernels, a few
  • 2 tablespoons golden raisins
  • ¼ cup whipping cream , very cold
Equipment
  • Meat grinder
  • food processor
  • Stand mixer

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a saucepan, bring 10 cups (2.5 liters) of water to a boil. Also have a large quantity of constant boiling water ready in a kettle.
  2. Pour the wheat grains into the pot of boiling water and mix. The level of boiling water should be about 4 inches (10 cm) above the grains of wheat. Add boiling water if necessary.
  3. Bring to a boil and, once boiling resumes, boil for 20 seconds. Drain.
  4. Repeat exactly the same operation 7 times and, on the 7th boil, add the salt and do not drain.
  5. Remove the pan from the heat, cover it and wrap it completely with several cloths or a large blanket.
  6. Let the wheat sit at room temperature for 8 hours.
  7. At the end of these 8 hours, drain the water which has not been absorbed during the resting of the wheat.
  8. Spread the wheat kernels in a single layer on a large cloth and let dry at room temperature for 2 hours.
  9. Using a meat grinder (not a food processor), coarsely grind the wheat kernels through the widest grid and transfer the mixture to a bowl.
  10. In the bowl of a food processor, mix the walnuts and the icing sugar, reduce them to powder, and add them to the wheat mixture.
  11. Add the lightly roasted blanched almonds, honey, cinnamon and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until well blended.
  12. Add the koliva into a large, clear, straight-sided glass trifle bowl or a clear serving dish.
Garnish
  1. Garnish with slivered almonds, walnut kernels and raisins all over the surface.
  2. Whip the very cold whipped cream using a stand mixer at high speed until stiff peaks form.
  3. Serve the koliva topped with a dollop of whipped cream.