Cajun Spelt

Name: Cajun Spelt
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 47 min
Total time: 62 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Cajun
Ingredients: ¾ cup whole spelt; 1½ cups water; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 small small green bell pepper, cut into thin 1-inch strips; 4 scallions, white and green parts separated, cut into 1/2-inch-long pieces; 2 stalks celery stalks, thinly sliced; 2 ounces Canadian bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces; 2 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced; ½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Recipe GLPR69a8ffb8b3afb1

Cajun

Main Course

62 min

197 cal

Servings: 4

Stovetop

SNAP eligible

A hearty, aromatic grain dish featuring whole spelt cooked until tender, then tossed with Cajun-seasoned sautéed vegetables, Canadian bacon, and fresh cherry tomatoes. This flavorful one-skillet meal brings classic Cajun flavors to a wholesome, chewy grain base.

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Ingredients

¾ cup whole spelt

1½ cups water

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small small green bell pepper, cut into thin 1-inch strips

4 scallions, white and green parts separated, cut into 1/2-inch-long pieces

2 stalks celery stalks, thinly sliced

2 ounces Canadian bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

2 cloves garlic cloves, thinly sliced

½ teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

½ teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

Combine the whole spelt and water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the pan and simmer for about 30 minutes, until most of the water has been absorbed and the spelt grains are tender but still retain a pleasant chewiness. Remove from heat and let sit covered for 10 minutes. Uncover and allow to cool completely. (The cooked spelt can be prepared up to 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.)
Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the green bell pepper strips, the white parts of the scallions, sliced celery, and Canadian bacon pieces. Cook while stirring frequently for about 4 minutes, until the vegetables are tender-crisp and the bacon is lightly browned.
Stir in the sliced garlic and Cajun seasoning, and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
Add the cooled spelt, halved cherry tomatoes, green scallion pieces, and kosher salt to the skillet. Stir everything together and cook for about 2 minutes, until the spelt and tomatoes are warmed through and the flavors are well combined.
Transfer the Cajun spelt to a serving dish and serve hot.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4.25

Spelt is the real friction here—not a standard grain at most Charlotte grocers, so budget a stop at Harris Teeter or Kroger's natural-foods section. Everything else (peppers, scallions, celery, Canadian bacon, garlic, cherry tomatoes) is a straightforward shop at any major chain; Cajun seasoning is a standard spice-aisle find. Cost per serving lands around $2.50–$3.00, driven mainly by the spelt premium and Canadian bacon. The 62-minute claim is honest for cooking time, though chopping vegetables and aromatics will add 10–12 minutes upfront if you're not fast. This is forgiving weeknight food—sauté your trinity and bacon, stir in the spelt and stock, then let it simmer mostly hands-off—and it reheats beautifully, making it a solid lunch the next day.