Peeled Wheat

Peeled wheat is whole wheat grain with its outer husk removed, leaving kernels that cook more evenly and turn tender with long simmering. In Lebanese kitchens it is the base of hreesseh, the slow-cooked dish of wheat and meat often prepared for village gatherings and religious occasions. It is also boiled and sweetened with sugar, nuts and spices for Eid al-Burbara, and added to soups and stews to give them body. Soaking the grains for a few hours before cooking helps shorten the cooking time. At Dekenet Al Nes in Baaqline, in the Chouf, peeled wheat is sold loose by the kilo in a package-free setting, so you can bring your own containers, take just the amount you need and cut down on single-use packaging.