Have you ever eaten cooked wheat berries? If not, you should really try some. The texture is like nothing else I’ve ever eaten. The berries plump up until they are nearly bursting. Between your teeth, they are almost rubbery and then they sort of pop. It is the strangest thing. I love it. And this salad is my favorite way to eat them. Sweetened with orange juice and fruit, there is no need for any extra sweetener. Yay for that!
Big oops! here. As I was typing the recipe, I realized I forgot to put the pecans in. So the picture lacks the nuts. I’ve made it before with them, though, and it’s tasty so I’m including them here.
Wheat Berry Salad with Red Fruit
Adapted from here
1 1/2 cups dry wheat berries
6 cups water
1 t salt
1/3 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (but I won’t tell if you use bottled stuff…I sometimes do)
3 T raspberry vinegar (this is important…don’t substitute cider vinegar)
3 T light tasting olive oil
1/4 t salt
1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
2 gala apples, chopped
1/2 cup dried strawberries
1/2 cup chopped, toasted pecans
Bring the wheat berries, water, and salt to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for about an hour or until the berries are soft. Drain the water and let the berries cool.
To make the dressing: whisk together the orange juice, vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper.
To make the salad: combine 3 cups of cooked wheat berries, the apples, strawberries, nuts, and the dressing. Let chill in the fridge for about a half hour before eating. Best eaten within an hour or two as the strawberries will get soggy.
Yield: 6 or 7 cups maybe? I forgot to measure.
Hey! Where does one get wheat berries for this salad… I want to try!
Um, a health food or bulk food store? The ones I used for this salad are the kind we grow ourselves. But my aunt picks up another kind for me at some Amish store or something. If you can’t find any in your area, you can get some when you come up in April!
Or I could sell them to you through etsy but that wouldn’t be very cost effective 🙂
I’ve been looking for a good wheat berry salad—thanks!
I love wheat berries and I always make them fr my veg client. Now I have another dish to serve.
Thanks