Cooking - Wheat Berry Salad with Dried Fruit - Wheat Berry Salad with Dried Fruit

This salad is so good and has so much flavor! Look for wheat berries among Bob’s Red Mill products at your grocery store or ask the manager to stock it. If you can’t find wheat berries you could substitute brown or wild rice. This salad is healthy too... imagine that! 

 Make this salad in advance so the flavors have time to mellow. This salad is high in fiber, flavor, and is filling, easy to pack.

 Makes 6 servings
3 c. water 
1 c. uncooked wheat berries

1/2 c. minced shallots 

1/4 c. cranberry juice 

2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 
3 Tbsp. raspberry vinegar 

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 

2 tsp. Dijon mustard 

1/2 tsp. salt

 1/2 c. coarsely chopped dried cranberries
1/2 c. coarsely chopped dried cherries
1/2 c. (2 ounces) diced Gouda cheese
1/3 c. chopped green onions

1/3 c. slivered almonds, toasted
1/4 c. dried currants
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

 Combine water and wheat berries in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil.
 Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Drain and rinse with cold water.
 Combine shallots and next 6 ingredients (shallots through salt) in a large bowl. Let stand 30 minutes.
 Add wheat berries, cranberries, and remaining ingredients to vinaigrette, and toss to combine. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight.
 Variation: Add 1 1/2 c. cooked or grilled chicken breast, shredded.

Candy Sartell,