Great Grain Salad

  Salads

I can't think of a better dish to round out a meal. My grain salad features all my favorite nuts, seeds and fruits. Try adding grilled chicken to make it a meal on its own.

Great Grain Salad

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 15 min. Cook: 1 hour + chilling
YIELD: 12 servings (3/4 cup each).

Ingredients

  • 3 cups water
  • 1/2 cup medium pearl barley
  • 1/2 cup uncooked wild rice
  • 2/3 cup uncooked basmati rice
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/2 cup sunflower kernels
  • 1/2 cup salted pumpkin seeds or pepitas
  • 1/2 cup each golden raisins, chopped dried apricots and dried cranberries
  • 1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 4 teaspoons grated orange zest

  • VINAIGRETTE:
  • 2/3 cup walnut oil
  • 2/3 cup raspberry vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons orange juice
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • 1. In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add barley and wild rice. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 55-65 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, cook basmati rice according to package directions. Cool barley and rices to room temperature.
  • 2. In a large bowl, combine the almonds, sunflower kernels, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, parsley and orange zest; add barley and rices.
  • 3. In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 368 calories, 22g fat (3g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 281mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein.

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