Kutia (Christmas Pudding)

1. (Keep care: preparation 6 hours !!) Wash the wheat grain, leave to soak in cold water for 6 hours.
2. Drain, then pour 2 l of boiling water over the wheat, cover and cook over a low heat for 3 hours.
3. The grains should be soft but not mushy.
4. Straini the cooked wheat and leave to cool.
5. Wash the poppy-seeds thoroughly in cold water, scald with boiling water and drain.
6. Pour boiling water over them, bring to a boil, remove from the heat and leave to stand in a warm place for 3 hours.
7. Drain and mince.
8. Soak the currants in rum or cognac.
9. Cut the figs and dates into thin strips.
10. Crush vanilla pod in a mortar.
11. Pour the poppy-seeds into a mixing bowl, add cream, honey, vanilla and lemon peel.
12. Grindi for 15 minutes, then add the wheat, crushed walnuts and almonds, currants, figs and dates.
13. Mixi well and transfer to a glass bowl.
14. Decorate with whole almonds and chill.
15. (From: Polish cooking, Warszawa 1993, ISBN 83-85477-34-9).