Kutia for a commemoration: a traditional recipe. Video
In the Orthodox faith, kutia, or kolivo, symbolizes eternal life and resurrection. Therefore, it is customary to cook rice sweet porridge for a commemoration. It is placed in a common deep plate and placed in the middle of the table. Each guest scoops one spoonful of kutya from a plate and sends it straight to his mouth, remembering the deceased.
Traditions of cooking kutya
There is no single traditional recipe for kutya. In families, the recipe for this dish is passed down from generation to generation, and everyone considers their own version to be the most correct. Regardless, all recipes use similar principles and similar ingredients.
The taste of kutya varies depending on the additions and dressings of the memorial porridge. It can be prepared on the basis of barley, millet and rice, and the taste can be added with sugar, honey or sweet syrup. A pleasant combination of neutral cereal and sweet dressing gives the memorial dish a specific taste and unique aroma.
Kutya is supposed to be served at the commemoration on the 9th, 40th day, for six months and for a year. She also opens a memorial meal on special dates.
Ingredients:
- 0,5 glass of long grain rice
- 2 cup water
- 100 g white raisins
- 50 g candied
- 1 tbsp honey
Put the raisins on a plate, remove the tails. Rinse and leave in water for 20-30 minutes. Then rinse and dry again. So that honey is well absorbed into rice and gives the desired sweetness to kutye, melt it in a water bath. Chop the candied fruits. Since the fruits added to kutya symbolize the fruits of paradise given to mankind by the Almighty, you can put not only raisins, but also dried apricots, prunes, cut into pieces, and poppy seeds in kutya.
Soak the rice in water for at least 2 hours before cooking to remove excess starch and gluten. Drain the water. Immerse the rice in fresh cold water and cook over the fire. Bring to a boil and after 2 minutes, reduce heat to low. Do not stir the rice with a spoon. Over low heat, the porridge will not burn, but will slowly gurgle, absorbing water. When the rice is completely boiled and there is no water left in the pan, pour honey into it and add raisins with dried fruits and other ingredients as desired. Stir and let sit for another 2 minutes.
Transfer the hot kutya to a deep bowl, smooth the surface and decorate with raisins. Cover with a saucer and leave to cool slowly. Kutya should be consecrated before serving on the memorial table; it is better to do this in advance by visiting the church during the morning service.
If it was not possible to consecrate kutya, the dish can be sprinkled with holy water at home and, placing a plate in front of the icons, read a prayer over it
The meal begins with her. After reading the memorial prayer, each guest should taste a spoonful of sweet porridge.
It is allowed to eat the dish with your hands, scooping up the rice in handfuls
Kutya prepared according to this recipe is enough for 30 people.