Tomato Freekeh Pilaf
We are going to get freak-ayyy today! No not that kind of freaky, ha! Freekay for this new superfood grain I’m in love with — Freekeh — featured in this super easy. tasty and simple Tomato Freekeh Pilaf. Have you cooked with freekeh before?
It’s basically this amazing grain with a killer nutritional profile. I mean look at those stats per 1/4 cup serving. Lots of fiber, iron, vitamin E and so many nutritious minerals. In case you were wondering, Freekeh is not gluten free (I double checked) but it is a minimally processed grain so if you are not gluten sensitive I would definitively recommend including some Freekeh in your diet. Plus, it’s fun to say “Honeyyyyy, we’re having some FREEKEH for dinner tonight”. 😉 Which might or might not be understood in more ways than one LOL.
The first time I cooked Freekeh I just threw it in a pot with some salt, pepper, water and herbs, cooking it exactly the way I like to cook rice. J and I both agreed that the end result was a pretty bland and boring side dish. The next time I prepared it, instead of the water I used veggie broth and canned dice tomatoes, topping the Tomato Freekeh Pilaf off with some chives, parsley and walnuts. The resulting Tomato Freekeh Pilaf was soooo much tastier. Still a super, simple, quick side without much thought for busy weeknight but with all the flavor of a tasty restaurant style pilaf. Freekeh #FTW friends!
Do you have a favorite way of preparing Freekeh? I’d love to know! I’m looking forward to experimenting some more with this grain in the future. I have a hunch that it would make a delicious summer style salad and fit in quite nicely with a home-style BBQ!
And if you do bake this Easy Tomato Freekeh Pilaf or any other recipes from my kitchen, it makes my day hearing about it! 🙂 Insta or Tweet it to me (@cearaskitchen with hashtag #cearaskitchen) or Facebook it to me via the Ceara’s Kitchen Facebook Page! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Tomato Freekeh Pilaf
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Description
A simple side dish starring the superfood grain Freekeh. This Tomato Freekeh pilaf comes together quickly and easily, making the perfect vegetarian side dish.
Ingredients
- 1 cup freekeh
- 2 cups low sodium vegetable broth
- 1/2 heaping cup diced tomatoes (canned)
- 1 heaping tsp herbes de provence
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 Black pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 lemon, juiced
Garnish
- Fresh Chives
- Parsley
- Toasted Walnuts
Instructions
- Place freekeh, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, herbes de provence, garlic powder and black pepper in a medium size pot over medium high heat. Simmer for 20 minutes on a medium-low heat until cooked.
- Stir in lemon juice and fluff the cooked freekeh with a fork. Garnish with fresh chives, parsley and/or toasted walnuts. Enjoy as a side.
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Side
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
I just tried freekeh last year and am totally hooked! It’s so hearty and delicious and am always looking for new ways to make it! This tomato pilaf sounds fabulous and I can’t wait to try it!
Interesting! I have only heard of freekeh recently! This sounds really good for a healthy lunch!
It would make such a perfect and filling, healthy lunch, Kelly!! I recently disovered Freekeh too and have been obsessed with it! So yummy!
I’ve never tried Freekeh before, but I’ve seen it all over the place lately! Looks like a delicious and healthy alternative to rice.
Thank you so much, Denise!! It’s so delicious and easy to make!!!
I’ve never had freekeh but I love tomato rice and this looks really similar and even more delicious!
This is very similar to tomato rice <3 Thanks, Medha!
Ceara! I found you via the group for Finding Vegan bloggers on Facebook under my ‘anyone else in Toronto?!’ post. So glad it led me to your blog! I have yet to try cooking with freekeh but i keep seeing incredible recipes for it. This tomato freekeh pilaf sounds delish and I can’t wait to try it!
I’m soo happy that you found me via the FV group! What a great group it is! I’m so happy to meet other bloggers from Toronto! I’m sure you’ll love this tomato freekeh if you love simple rice pilafs <3 Let me know if you end up making it!
This looks fabulous, Ceara! I am so excited to try freekeh so I went to my co-op this afternoon to get some, and I asked the bulk manager and he said they don’t carry it. So now, I’ll turn to an online grocer for it. I’m so looking forward to trying it so I can get my freekeh on! Thanks for sharing Ceara and telling me about this delicious grain! Can’t wait!
That is so awesome, Traci!! I love that you have a co-op nearby where you can buy food in bulk! I haven’t found one near us yet! They also carry Freekeh here at Middle Eastern shops – I don’t know if you have any close by! Apparently it’s a very common grain used in Mediterranean cooking 🙂 Good luck finding it and I can’t wait to hear how you like it!
I love dishes like this cause you can easily customize them with what’s on hand. In the summer I love adding in fresh corn, peas and avocado. Mmmm!
Those addition sound absolutely delicious, Cara!!! <3 Yummy!
Ceara, this looks so delicious and simple! I have heard of freekeh, but have never used it before. I love rice and grains, so I am sure I would love this too! Adding tomato would really spruce it up too, since it’s so bold in flavor! Love the simplicity, and yes I agree on the BBQ idea. BBQ is one of my favorite flavor profiles that I like to cook with and use in my recipes, so a freekeh bbq dish would be excellent!!! YUM!
We’ve been obsessed with Freekeh ever since discovering it! Apparently it’s a really ancient grain (that’s even mentioned in the bible lol!) but it is just getting some new-found fame recently! It’s so delicious and so versatile! And BBQ is one of my favorite flavor profiles too… now I want BBQ season to be here already, LOL! 🙂 Enjoy your weekend!
What a perfect weeknight dinner! I can’t wait to get some freekeh. haha.
Hehe! It’s such an easy and healthy weeknight meal!! And equally as fun to say 😀 THanks, Michaell!
I’ve never tried this grain before, but you can bet I will now. I love the spices and garnishes that you used for this recipe. Pinned!
I’m so glad we picked up a bag from Costco before leaving to Belgium! It’s so yummy!! Thanks for the kind words and pin, Linda!!
Ooooooh!! I’ve been wanting to try freekeh for a while now and I think this just convinced me to buy some!!
Yay!! It’s so delicious, hearty + filling!! Enjoy 🙂
I’ve never heard of Freekeh before, but you definitely have me wanting to try it now!
It’s so yummy and healthy, Brittaney!! 🙂 THANKS!
I haven’t tried Freekeh yet, but I’m sure I’ll like it! Great recipe Ceara!
Thanks so much, Mira! <3
This dish sounds amazing, Ceara! I’ve never heard of freekeh before, but I’m loving all of the health benefits of it. And it sounds delicious when made with veggie broth and diced tomatoes. Looks like such a comforting grain! Pinned! Have a wonderful weekend!
Thanks so much for the kind words and my pin my friend!! 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend <3!
I have never heard of Freekeh! So glad you introduced me to it. I’m game for anything with more nutrients and Vitamin E, that’s awesome! Have to see where I’ll be able to purchase. Thanks for sharing!
I’m so happy to introduce you to it, Laura! Freekeh is one of my new favorite grains 🙂 We bought ours at costco (my favorite store LOL!). Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
I have never heard or seen Freekeh, but now I’m curious to try it. Preparing it with tomatoes and spices sounds delightful. I do enjoy rice pilaf, so I’m sure that this will satisfy my taste buds! Thank you. 🙂
If you love rice pilaf, you’ll love this easy tomato freekeh pilaf 🙂 It’s so easy to make and hearty!! 🙂
Ceara, I am so glad to see a freekzh recipe on your blog. This is one of my favorite grains! In the Middle East, frekeh is be prepared as a pilaf or even a soup. and most of the time made with chicken or meat. Your vegetarian vesrion sounds so trendy and bursting with flavor, Ceara!
Thanks so much, Hadia!! It was my first time trying Freekeh a couple months ago and we absolutely love it over here 🙂 It’s so delicious and has such a lovely flavor!! I’m sure it would be wonderful in soup as well – I’ll have to try that! Hope you are having a wonderful week 🙂