Recently I was offered an opportunity to try out freekeh by Fit Approach and Freekeh Foods. Since I’m always trying to expand our eating horizons, I jumped on it. They sent me a package of plain and a package of Rosemary Sage flavor to try.
So, what exactly is freekeh? Freekeh is roasted green wheat, so if you are looking for gluten free or wheat free, this is not your product. Freekeh is high in protein, fiber, and lutein. It cooks in a bit faster than white rice and a little slower than quinoa (22ish minutes after being brought to a boil), so it’s a convenient grain to cook up quickly for dinner. The freekeh from Freekeh Foods is organic, non-GMO, and grown in the USA. The bag says it makes four servings, but I found that to be four really generous servings.
Original Freekeh
This version was simply the grain. No salt or flavorings were added. I took it with me to Wisconsin, so I that I could try it with my mom (who is an excellent cook). It turned out to be a slightly nutty flavored, chewy grain. I really liked it, even plain. Mom made unstuffed cabbage rolls with it for dinner one night and it was FABULOUS! I’m sharing that recipe below. She also made some veggie burgers with it. I need to play with that recipe and will post that one another day. I’m also going to need to try the plain out on my kids and Beer Geek as they would not go any where near the cabbage rolls (Ok, in Beer Geek’s defense, he wasn’t there LOL). I’m hoping that they like it as none of them will eat quinoa (my other choice for high protein grains).
Rosemary Sage Freekeh
The smell of this when it was cooking was amazing. I love rosemary and sage and the smell just wafted through my house. Unfortunately, I didn’t find that the smell carried over to the flavor and the freekeh was a bit bland. I’ve been experimenting with what to add to it to give it some more zing, but I think in the future, I’ll stick with plain freekeh and add my own spices.
Want to try some?
Enter my giveaway and choose one bag of whichever flavor you want to try (original, rosemary sage, or tamarin)! And don’t forget to try out the yummy recipe for the unstuffed cabbage rolls!
- 1 sm. head cabbage, chopped (approx 4 cups)
- 1/4 C chopped walnuts
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 6 oz can tomato sauce
- 1/4 C onion, chopped
- 1/2 lb ground beef or turkey (or vegetarian crumbles)
- 3/4 C cooked Freekeh
- 1/2 tsp oregano-divided
- 4-6 oz chopped fresh mushrooms or 1 can pieces, drained
- Parmesan cheese
- Cook freekeh according to instructions on package, using either water or broth
- Brown meat (drain fat) or prepare crumbles.
- Saute onion, celery, and mushrooms.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine onion, celery, mushrooms, walnuts, and fresh plus 1/4 tsp oregano.
- Place cut up cabbage in greased 7×11 pan and microwave (covered) for 3 minutes. Allow to sit and steam for a few minutes.
- Top cabbage with meat mixture.
- Mix 1/4 tsp oregano with tomato sauce and pour over the top.
- Bake 40 minutes at 375*.
- Sprinkle with parmesan and bake 5 more minutes.
Disclaimer: I was provided two bags of Freekeh foods to try. I was not provided with any other compensation. Freekeh Foods will also be supplying the giveaway bag.
I’m linking up with Running with SD mom for her giveaway linkup! Go check out the other awesome giveaways!
I can’t eat Freekah, but this recipe sounds so good! I’ll have to try it with rice or quinoa!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…Stretch Your Knowledge: 7 Fun Facts About Me!
The cabbage roll recipe sounds delicious!
I haven’t tried freekeh yet but those unstuffed cabbage rolls sound delicious. I would love to try it.
I still haven’t found Freekeh in Canada, but I’m on the lookout, it sounds really neat!
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…Never Say Never
Good luck to everyone entering the giveaway!
Margo recently posted…What Did We Learn This Month? @Shape_Magazine with Ciara on the Cover!
I’ve never heard of freekeh before, but would totally try it!
I have absolutely been loving the Freekeh! I have been buying it every week. YUM
Deborah Brooks @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Reset & Refocus September
Yum! I stuffed squash with Freekeh and loved it!
I”m a freekeh fan but I’ve not tried the seasoned blends. These sound great!
Marcia recently posted…Stay Healthy, Train Healthy with Zarbee’s Naturals
No, I haven’t tried it yet but I will soon since I keep seeing so much good stuff about it.
I haven’t tried it yet, but I have some on the way! This looks like a great recipe to try too!
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…Accountability
Not yet, cannot wait though
I’d never heard of Freekeh prior to the recent Fit Approach campaign. I’m not really up for trying new things right now, but maybe after the baby is born.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Sole Sister Run Virtual 7 Mile Race Recap
I have never tried it before, but I LOVE cabbage rolls so this recipe sounds right up my alley!
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers recently posted…My Favorite Workout Shirts + Tank Top Giveaway!
The unstuffed cabbage rolls sound really good.
I find a lot of the pre-flavored grains aren’t as good as they seem like they should be. It’s so much easier to add your own spices and flavors – so much better that way.
Jenn recently posted…race report: tour de pain – 5k road race & 1 mile sizzler {8.8.2015}
We had some Freekah–I liked it, my husband did not. He’s getting weird, I think…. :p
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Staying on track
i’ve been seeing freekeh everywhere! sounds yummy!!!
courtney @ eat pray run dc recently posted…What to Look for in a Running Coach
I wonder if the rosemary sage kind could be incorporated into a turkey “stuffing” type side dish. That’s what the spice combination makes me think of.
Kelli recently posted…Woman Crush Wednesday – Sarah Talley
NOM! Love me some stuffed cabbage! I think I am going to try my hand at a stuffed cabbage recipe this weekend!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Taiwan Kitchen Takeover
Those unstuffed cabbage rolls sound delicious! I love cabbage rolls and I love freekeh so I think this recipe and I would be BFFs 😉 I’m so happy I was introduced to this delicious grain!!
Ariana recently posted…Get back on track with me with #FreshStartSeptember!
I’ve never tried Freekeh, but I’ve been meaning to give it a taste. I bookmarked a couple of Freekeh recipes recently.
Good Luck everybody !!
Looks so delicious!! I can’t wait to try it – I have heard such great things!!
Natalie recently posted…Siggi’s Yogurt Giveaway!!
I keep seeing freekeh everywhere! I really need to try it. I need something more “exciting” than rice for my meals 🙂
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…6 Healthy Foods To Keep In Your Dorm Room
I have never tried Freekeh.
Your recipe sounds delicious!!! I go the freekeh too and I loved it!
Toni recently posted…Savory Breakfast with #Freekeh
I haven’t tried it yet, but I would like to experiment with it for stuffings for the holidays
I’ve never tried Freekeh before.
I have not tried freekeh but it looks interesting.
I haven’t yet, but I’d like to!
Ashley S recently posted…Simple Peach Pie #Recipe
I have never tried freekah. 🙂