Quirky Foodster

Holidays & Special Occasions

Resi (Traditional Wedding Wheat & Chicken)

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Ingredients

  • - Whole chicken — 1.5 kg (3.3 lb)
  • - Cracked wheat (coarse bulgur) — 500 g (2.75 cups)
  • - Water — 3 l (12.5 cups)
  • - Butter — 100 g (7 tbsp)
  • - Salt — 2 tsp
  • - Ground cumin, for serving — 1 tsp

Method

  1. Place the whole chicken in a large pot with water and salt; bring to a boil, skimming foam.
  2. Reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours until the chicken is completely tender and falling apart.
  3. Remove the chicken, shred the meat finely, discarding skin and bones, and set aside.
  4. Rinse the cracked wheat and add it to the reserved cooking broth.
  5. Simmer for 40-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the wheat is very soft and the mixture thickens.
  6. Return the shredded chicken to the pot and beat vigorously with a wooden spoon or whisk for 10-15 minutes until the mixture becomes smooth, creamy and homogeneous.
  7. Stir in butter and adjust salt to taste.
  8. Serve hot in bowls with a light dusting of ground cumin on top.

Introduction: Resi is a slow-simmered, porridge-like dish of cracked wheat and shredded chicken, beaten together until
smooth and creamy.

Cultural Background: Resi is a slow-simmered, porridge-like dish of cracked wheat and shredded chicken, beaten together until
smooth and creamy. Long a centrepiece of both Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot wedding feasts, it is
traditionally prepared by the community in huge cauldrons the night before a wedding, with vigorous
beating considered essential for the correct silky texture.

Variations: Not vegetarian. No authentic vegetarian or vegan version exists for this chicken-based wedding dish.

Storage: Refrigerate up to 3 days; the texture thickens considerably once chilled.

Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of hot water or broth, stirring to loosen the texture.

Nutrition: Per serving: ~390 kcal, 26g protein, 14g fat, 40g carbohydrate.

FAQs

Q: Why is it beaten for so long?
A: Vigorous beating breaks down the wheat and chicken fibres to create the dish's characteristic smooth, porridge-like consistency.

Q: Is resi shared across both Cypriot communities?
A: Yes, it is one of the few dishes prepared similarly by both Greek-Cypriot and Turkish-Cypriot communities for weddings.