Jireesh (Kuwaiti Cracked Wheat and Chicken Porridge)
Local name: جريش
In short: Cracked wheat simmered with chicken, tomato and spices until creamy, mashed smooth and topped with golden fried onions and ghee. It takes about 2 h 55 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 2 h 30 min
- Resting
- 2 h
- Total
- 2 h 55 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 490 kcal
Jireesh is a thick Kuwaiti porridge made from coarsely cracked wheat that cooks slowly with chicken, tomato and a few warm spices. The grain softens until it turns creamy, and a good mashing makes it smooth and spoonable. Fried onions and a spoonful of ghee go on top, with yogurt on the side to cool it. It appears often in Ramadan and at family gatherings.
Instructions
- Put the chicken, quartered onion, cinnamon, cardamom, bay leaves, dried lime, 1 tsp salt and the water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, skim, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes, until the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Lift out the chicken and strain the broth into a bowl, discarding the onion and whole spices. Shred the chicken, discarding the skin and bones.
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in the pot, add the tomatoes, tomato paste, cumin and pepper and cook for 4 minutes. Add the drained jareesh and about 1.4 litres (6 cups) of the broth.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer on low, partly covered, for 1 hour 15 minutes. Stir every 10 minutes and add hot broth or water as needed, until the wheat is very soft.
- Add the shredded chicken and the remaining salt. Mash the porridge with a wooden spoon or potato masher for 3 to 4 minutes, or blend in short pulses with a hand blender, until thick and creamy. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- For the topping, fry the sliced onions in 3 tbsp oil over medium heat for 15 minutes, stirring, until deep golden brown and crisp at the edges.
- Spoon the jireesh into bowls, make a well in each and add the ghee. Top with the fried onions and serve with yogurt on the side.
Tips
- Jareesh is cracked wheat, not whole grain. If you cannot find it, use coarse bulgur, which cooks in about 30 minutes, and shorten the simmering time to match.
- Lamb works too. Use 700 g (1.5 lb) bone-in lamb shoulder and simmer it for 1 hour 15 minutes before shredding.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between jireesh and harees?
Jireesh uses coarsely cracked wheat with tomato and spices, so it tastes savory and slightly tangy. Harees uses whole wheat berries beaten very smooth with meat and is plainer.
Can I make jireesh in a pressure cooker?
Yes. Cook the soaked wheat, chicken and broth under high pressure for 25 minutes and release the pressure naturally. Then mash and finish as in step 5.
How do I store jireesh?
Refrigerate it for up to 4 days. It sets firm when cold, so reheat it with a splash of water or broth, stirring until smooth.
How long does it take to make Jireesh (Kuwaiti Cracked Wheat and Chicken Porridge)?
About 2 h 55 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 2 h 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Jireesh (Kuwaiti Cracked Wheat and Chicken Porridge)?
About 490 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 42 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 490 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 800 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
