how to cook wheatberries

Cait's Plate: Protein Packed Salads

Every other week, Caitlin Grams of  Caitlin Lives Well, is bringing us delicious recipes inspired from her New Year's Resolution "to make one new recipe a week".  This week she inspires us to make our favorite restaurant dish in our kitchen. Enjoy!

Wheatberry Salad

There are few things in life that make me happier than the Whole Foods salad bar. Tons of different fresh, healthy dishes chock full of veggies - it's heaven. One of my favorite salads that I get every time I treat myself to the Whole Foods salad bar is what they call the Berkley Wheatberry Salad, and last time I was there I realized how simple it must be to make with such few ingredients - I knew I needed to recreate it.

Wheatberries are a whole grain and are packed with fiber, protein and iron. It was my first time preparing them and they are as easy to prepare as rice. They have a chewy, nutty texture, and are great in salads, as a side dish or as a base for breakfast in place of oats.

Wheatberry Salad Recipe:
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked wheatberries
1 red pepper
3 stalks of celery
1 apple
3 scallions
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped pecans
 

 

 

Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Cook 1 cup of dry wheatberries according to package instructions. They take about an hour. While they are cooking, chop the pepper, apple, scallions and celery. Combine ingredients for dressing and set aside. Drain and rinse the wheatberries. Once they have cooled, add chopped vegetables and fruit, dried cranberries and pecans. Toss salad in dressing and enjoy!