Harees (Bahraini Wheat and Lamb Porridge)
Local name: هريس
In short: Hulled wheat and lamb cooked slowly with cardamom and cinnamon, then beaten into a smooth porridge and served with melted ghee and cinnamon sugar. It takes about 4 h 20 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 4 h
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 4 h 20 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 365 kcal
Harees is the slow-cooked wheat and meat porridge of the Gulf, made in Bahrain mainly for Ramadan and Eid. The wheat simmers for hours with lamb until the grains burst, and then it is beaten with a wooden spoon until smooth and almost stretchy. It is served with a pool of melted ghee and, for those who like sweet and savory together, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar.
Instructions
- Put the lamb in a large heavy pot with the onion, cardamom, cinnamon stick, salt and water. Bring to a boil, skim, then simmer for 1 hour, until the lamb is tender.
- Lift out the lamb. Remove the bones and shred the meat finely. Discard the onion and whole spices.
- Add the drained wheat to the broth and bring to a boil. Simmer partly covered for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring often, until the grains are soft and starting to burst. Add hot water if it becomes too thick.
- Stir in the shredded lamb and the 3 tablespoons of ghee. Beat vigorously with a wooden spoon, or pulse briefly with a hand blender, for 5 minutes until the porridge is smooth and thick.
- Taste for salt and loosen with hot water if needed. The harees should fall off a spoon in a slow ribbon.
- Spoon into shallow bowls, drizzle with the melted ghee and sprinkle with the sugar and cinnamon. Serve hot.
Tips
- Look for harees wheat in Middle Eastern shops. Pearled barley works if you cannot find it and cooks in about 1 hour.
- A slow cooker on low for 8 hours does the long simmer for you. Chicken thighs can replace lamb and shorten the first step to 35 minutes.
Questions and answers
Can I make harees ahead of time?
Yes. It sets firm in the fridge and keeps for 4 days. Reheat with a little hot water or broth, stirring until smooth.
What is the difference between harees and jareesh?
Both are wheat porridges. Harees is cooked longer and beaten smooth with meat, while jareesh is cooked from coarsely cracked wheat and often finished with yogurt or milk and fried onions.
Can I freeze harees?
Yes, in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat with a splash of water.
How long does it take to make Harees (Bahraini Wheat and Lamb Porridge)?
About 4 h 20 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 4 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Harees (Bahraini Wheat and Lamb Porridge)?
About 365 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 31 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 365 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 31 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
