Ukrainian Christmas Kutya

Ingredients

• 1½ cups wheat berries, soaked in warm water for 24 hours,and then strained (kernels)
• 4½ cups water or milk (or more)
• ¾ cup poppy seeds
• ⅔ cup sliced roasted almonds or walnuts
• ½ cup honey, to taste
• ⅔ cup chopped dried apricots (optional)
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 pinch salt, to taste
• 1 dash ground cinnamon

Directions

• In a medium pot, combine wheat kernels and milk.
• Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 3 hours.
• Add more liquid as necessary to keep kernels covered.
• Scald the poppy seeds with boiling water, drain, and add lukewarm water to cover.
• Soak 30 minutes, drain and grind in a food processor.
• Set aside.
• Drain water from Wheat kernels and keep ½ cup of the liquid.
• Add the honey to the liquid and mix well.
• Mix kernels, honey, ground poppy seeds, almonds, apricots, raisins, and salt.
• Bake in a 2-quart casserole dish, uncovered, at 325 °F for 20 minutes.