Cypriot grain salad
This Cypriot grain salad combines nutty freekeh with toasted pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds and sunflower seeds, fresh coriander and parsley, spring onions and a cumin-honey yoghurt dressing. The Thermomix cooks the grains to the ideal bite while you chop the herbs, making this vibrant salad a breeze to prepare.
About this recipe
Cypriot grain salad Thermomix TM7 brings the sun-drenched flavours of the Mediterranean straight to your kitchen table. Searching for a freekeh recipe that works beautifully in an all-in-one kitchen machine? This salad answers that call: smoky green wheat grains, toasted pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds and sunflower seeds, and a fragrant dressing of ground cumin, honey and natural yoghurt. It is exactly the kind of quick weeknight dinner or make-ahead lunch that Thermomix TM7 owners love, because the machine weighs the freekeh directly into the bowl, cooks it to a tender bite without boiling over, and chops the coriander, flat leaf parsley and spring onions in seconds. The result is a nutty, herby salad with a creamy, subtly sweet spiced sauce, hearty enough for vegetarians and impressive enough for guests at a summer barbecue or buffet table.
Preparation tips
- Rinse the freekeh thoroughly before cooking to remove any dust and reduce its natural smokiness slightly; this keeps the cumin and honey flavours of the yoghurt dressing in balance.
- Toast the pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds and sunflower seeds in a dry pan until they smell nutty, then cool completely before folding them in so they stay crunchy against the tender grains.
- Serve the salad at room temperature rather than chilled, and stir the coriander and parsley through just before serving so the herbs keep their bright colour and fresh aroma.
Recipe variations
- Lactose-free version: replace the natural yoghurt with a thick plant-based coconut or soy yoghurt and use maple syrup instead of honey, keeping the cumin dressing creamy and suitable for vegan guests.
- Summer festive variation: add diced watermelon, crumbled feta and a squeeze of lemon for a Cypriot-inspired twist, or swap freekeh for quinoa in late summer for a lighter gluten-free grain base.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Weighing precision - The Thermomix weighs the freekeh and honey directly into the bowl, so the grain-to-dressing ratio is always consistent. [Built-in scale]. [Precision Control]
- Gentle cooking - Precise heating from TM7 cooks the freekeh to a tender bite without boiling over or scorching the grains. [Temperature control]. [Precision Control]
- Fine chopping - The Thermomix chops spring onions, coriander and parsley evenly in seconds, releasing fresh herbal aromas. [Multi-functionality]. [Multi-Function]
- Aromatic grinding - The TM7 grinds whole cumin seeds to a fragrant powder that infuses the yoghurt dressing with deeper flavour. [Time savings]. [Time Savings]
- Creamy whipping - The Thermomix whisks the yoghurt, honey and ground cumin into a silky smooth dressing without any lumps. [Hands-free]. [Hands-Free]
Ingredients
- ground cumin
- honey
- natural yoghurt
- pumpkin seeds
- slivered almonds
- sunflower seeds
- fresh coriander
- fresh flat-leaf parsley
- spring onions/shallots
- freekeh