If you cooked a big batch of grains on Sunday, you’re halfway to a weeknight dinner. You can use any cooked grain for this recipe, such as freekah, barley, or farro. No merguez? Sub with sweet Italian pork or chicken sausages instead.
Recipe information
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
2
4
1
1
½
2
2
½
¼
4
3
Special Ingredient
Need to make a substitution?
Preparation
Step 1
Simmer wheat berries in a large saucepan of salted water until grains are tender and hulls have just started to split open (cook time will vary and can take up to 1 hour). Drain and rinse under cold water, then thoroughly drain again. Transfer to a large bowl.
Step 2
Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a medium skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook sausage, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned and crisp, 8–10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl with a slotted spoon.
Step 3
Mix garlic, yogurt, 1 Tbsp. oil, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, and 2 tsp. za’atar in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Set yogurt sauce aside.
Step 4
Add pomegranate seeds, chopped mint, half of scallions, remaining 2 Tbsp. oil, and remaining 1 Tbsp. lemon juice to bowl with wheat berries and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
Step 5
Divide wheat berry mixture among bowls and top with cucumbers, sausage, and remaining scallions. Drizzle with reserved yogurt sauce, scatter mint leaves over, and sprinkle with more za’atar.