Jareesh Najdi (Riyadh Creamy Cracked-Wheat & Yogurt Porridge with Spiced Caramelized Onions) – Authentic Saudi Arabia Recipe
Recently named Saudi Arabia’s official national dish: velvety cracked wheat crowned with spiced loomi-onion kashnah.
- Country of Origin
- 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia (Middle East, Asia)
- Dietary Profile
- vegetarian
- Prep Time
- 15 min
- Cook Time
- 30 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Signature Staples
- Coarse cracked wheat slow-simmered with tangy laban/yogurt, Sweet caramelized onion and tomato "kashnah" topping, Fresh cilantro, Ground cumin, Dried black lime (loomi)
Ingredients for Jareesh Najdi (Riyadh Creamy Cracked-Wheat & Yogurt Porridge with Spiced Caramelized Onions) (4 Servings)
- 1.25 lbs (or 2.5 cups) coarse cracked wheat slow-simmered with tangy laban/yogurt, prepped into bite-sized pieces
- 1.5 cups sweet caramelized onion and tomato "kashnah" topping, washed and trimmed
- 1 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 medium onion and 3 cloves garlic, finely minced with ground cumin
- 1.5 tbsp traditional Saudi Arabia seasoning (dried black lime (loomi), cardamom, butter)
- 2.5 cups rich culinary stock or aromatic cooking liquid, plus 2 tbsp cooking oil
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a heavy Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat; brown coarse cracked wheat slow-simmered with tangy laban/yogurt for 5 minutes.
- Add minced onion, garlic, ground cumin, and dried black lime (loomi), cardamom, butter, stirring for 2 minutes until deeply aromatic.
- Add sweet caramelized onion and tomato "kashnah" topping and pour in the braising liquid; bring to a lively simmer.
- Cover and braise over medium-low heat for 20–22 minutes until meltingly tender and the sauce is rich and glossy.
- Stir in fresh cilantro right before serving warm.