KEsKEK (traditional wedding meal in turkiye( turkey)- wheat meal with beef)

In Anatolia, cooking Keskek (it is a meal based on wheat) is the tradition of a Wedding feast. The split wheat, which is cooked in large cauldrons, is pounded with special wooden sticks by the young men of the region. Although it is still the favorite part of the wedding feast, pounding part of the wheat while cooking is made with special mixers. Keskek can be prepared with chicken meat or beef depending on the preference. When the wheat that is pounded and it is essence extracted, stretches like a gum. This delicious dinner is eagerly awaited by the guests at the wedding feast.

I made it with Beef,
Ingredients: For 4-5 person
2 Lb. of beef neck bones (or lamb or 4-5 drumsticks of chicken)
2 C split wheat
5 C broth (for pressure cook or instant pot)
1 onion
1 tsp salt.
A stick of butter (about 8 Tbsp.)
1 Tbsp. tomato paste
1Tbsp. red chili pepper
Making:
You may soak the wheats night before to be cooked in shorter time.
Cook the meat in 5 Cup water and finally chopped onion until meat drops of the bones
( I used pressure cook 45 minutes)
Chicken drumsticks take 25 minutes)
Separate the meat from the bones and shred with the fork, set aside
**Strain the broth (to be used cooking wheat). However, this broth will not be enough to cook the wheat if you cook in a regular pan. Therefore, it is better to use pressure cook. Or boil extra bones to make more broth.
Add wheat and broth in the instant pot. It takes 35 minutes for the wheat to cook.
Transfer cooked wheat into the Dutch oven (or a heavy pan)
Add shredded meat (add more broth as needed). Close the lid.
Simmer for at least 2 hrs. stirring with wooden spoon every once in a while.
Wheat and meat combination must become mushy and stretchy.
Prepare the sauce as follows. Melt the butter in the sauce pan, add tomato paste, chili pepper flakes.
Serve the meal hot with drizzled sauce on top.

12/12/2021

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