Breakfast Kutia

Yield: 6 Servings. Two days before: Rinse and soak wheat overnight in cold water. One day before: Bring wheat to a boil, simmer for 3-6 hrs., until the wheat kernels start to burst. Drain and cool. Wash the poppy-seeds thoroughly in cold water, scald with boiling water and drain. (A coffee filter set into a small sieve is good.) Pour boiling water over them, bring to a boil, remove from the heat and drain again. Keep in a cool place until used. That morning: Dissolve the honey in a little scalding hot water. Cool. Mix together the wheat, poppy seeds, honey, chopped nuts and apples. Serve cold. Options: Add 1/3 cup raisins or currants, chopped dried peaches, dates or figs or other dried fruit such as cherries. This is the ritual first dish of the Polish and Ukrainian 12 course meatless Christmas Eve Supper. The wheat represents the staff of life, the honey represents the Spirit of Christ. I find that it also makes an excellent breakfast porridge anytime.