12.26.2012

Wheat Berry Salad

Original Recipe HERE
 
The only time I've ever seen - and thereafter consumed - wheat berries was at the Whole Foods fill-your-container bar thing.  There was a salad that looked good, so I got some.  I liked it, and then I forgot about wheat berries.  Until the next time I was at Whole Foods fill-your-container bar thing.  Repeat, repeat (probably literally...I go to Whole Foods maybe twice a year).  When I came across this recipe in my bookmarks, I thought it might be a good accompaniment to our Christmas dinner since all the other dishes were hot.
 
The kids ate it but didn't ask for more.  Upon pressing him to rate the holiday menu items, Husband hesitated on this one, which is the indicator that he wasn't a big fan.  However, my mom and I thought it was great.  I really like the texture of wheat berries: you actually feel like you're chewing something instead of the mush of similar grain-based dishes like quinoa and bulgur (and couscous, which has flour, which is made from a grain, so I'll include it here).
 
I didn't have all the ingredients, so I substituted with what was in my kitchen.
 
Ingredients
2 cups wheat berries
6 cups water
2 Tablespoons honey
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 Tablespoon lemon or lime juice [I used lemon]
1 Tablespoon rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons peanut or sesame oil [I used sesame]
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins or dried currants or craisins [I used currants]
1/4 cup peanuts, chopped
1 cup fresh or frozen peaches or mangoes, defrosted & chopped small [I used frozen mangoes]
1 small red bell pepper, chopped small
1 cup fresh spinach, roughly chopped [I did not include]
 
Directions
(1) Put wheat berries in medium saucepan.  Cover with water.  Bring to a boil.  Simmer, uncovered, for 60 to 90 minutes or until desired tenderness is reached.  Add more water if needed.
(2) Pour wheat berries into a strainer.  Rinse, drain, and cool.
(3) Whisk honey, garlic, lemon/lime juice, rice vinegar, oil, and salt in a large bowl.
(4) Add wheat berries, raisins/currants/craisins, peanuts, peaches/mangoes, bell pepper, and spinach to the bowl with the dressing.  Stir to coat thoroughly.  Serve chilled or room temperature.
 
Kid Participation: None.

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