Harissa-Spiced Freekeh with Rainbow Chard and Citrus Yogurt
A delicious union of African flavor and Mediterranean principles.
Daily recipe · February 15, 2026
A little about this dish
This exciting dish takes inspiration from the delectable flavors of African cuisine and blends them beautifully with the wholesome, heart-health principles of the Mediterranean diet. Our star ingredient is freekeh, a green wheat that is lightly smoked, giving it a nutty depth that pairs well with the bold flavors of harissa and fresh herbs.
Ingredients (for 2)
- Freekeh — 1 cup — rinsed and drained
- Rainbow chard — 1 bunch — stems separated and chopped into 1-inch segments, leaves roughly chopped
- Small red onion — 1 — finely diced
- Cloves garlic — 2 — minced
- Harissa paste — 1 tablespoon
- Lemon — 1 — zested and juiced
- Plain greek yogurt — ½ cup
- Fresh mint — 2 tablespoons — finely chopped
- Fresh parsley — 2 tablespoons — finely chopped
- Olive oil — 2 tablespoons
- Salt — to taste
- Pomegranate seeds — 1/4 cup — for garnish
Preparation
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Step 1 — 🥘💧🌾In a pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Add the rinsed freekeh, reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes until tender and water absorbed. Allow to sit for 5 minutes then fluff with a fork.
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Step 2 — 🍳🧅🔥Heat oil over medium heat in a frying pan. Add onions and garlic, cooking until they soften and become aromatic.
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Step 3 — 🍳🌿🔥Add chopped chard stems to the pan, sauté until tender. Mix in the harissa paste to coat the onions and chard.
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Step 4 — 🍋🌿🎛️Mix in the chard leaves, a pinch of salt, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Sauté until the leaves have wilted.
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Step 5 — 🥣🍋🥄In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, the remaining lemon juice, and half of the lemon zest. Stir until combined.
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Step 6 — 🥘🍲🌿Combine cooked freekeh, sautéed vegetables and herbs in the frying pan, stirring to incorporate the flavors.
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Step 7 — 🍽️🍋💖Divide the dish between two plates, topping each serving with a dollop of citrus yogurt, a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds, and the remaining lemon zest.
A final fox tip
This dish is a fantastic way for kids to get involved in the kitchen! Let them rinse and drain the freekeh, or zest the lemons. You can always add different fresh herbs if preferred. The dish can also work well by replacing Greek yogurt with a vegan yogurt variety or adding in grilled chicken or tofu for extra protein.