Fruited Grain Salad
Recipe by Courtney
Here is another one I use at holidays--it always looks impressive with the
colors from the fruit and herbs (do use fresh mint if you can--dried is not the
same!) I think I adapted it from one of Mollie Katzen's cookbooks.
NOTE: The grains need to cook separately. You can cook them in advance and store
them in tightly covered containers until you are ready to make the salad. You
can also prepare the salad a night or two before you plan to serve it. (Add
everything except the fresh fruit, which should go in shortly before serving.)
It takes very little work. Most of the preparation time allotted is for
cooking the grains, so you can easily make it during an evening when you are
home doing other things.
* ANOTHER NOTE: This salad keeps very well, and is great to have on hand for
lunches and snacks.
1 cup uncooked wheat berries
1 cup uncooked pearl barley
1 cup uncooked short-grain brown rice
3 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (packed) golden raisins
3/4 cup (packed) minced fresh chives (scallions may be substituted--be sure to
mince them very fine)
6 to 7 large fresh mint leaves, minced--or more, to taste (or 1 to 2 teaspoons
dried mint)
4 to 5 ripe firm red plums, sliced
1 or 2 tart green apples, sliced (optional addition to, or substitute for, the
plums)
1. Soak the wheat berries for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, wash the barley
several times, until the water in which it is rinsed looks clear. Put the barley
and 2 1/2 cups water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, partially cover, and simmer
until tender (about 30 minutes).
2. Place the rice and 1 3/4 cups water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil,
partially cover, and simmer very quietly for about 35 minutes, or until tender.
3. Drain the wheat berries and place in a saucepan with 2 1/2 cups water. Bring
to a boil, cover and simmer until tender. This will take about 1 to 1 1/4 hours.
Check the water level. You may have to add just a little extra if it seems dry.
4. When all the grains are cooked, combine them in a large bowl. Stir to let
excess steam escape. Add remaining ingredients except the plums and/or apples.
5.Cover and chill well before serving. This will keep up to three days.
6. Add plum and/or apple slices, and mix them in gently just before serving.
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