Cherry Winter Wheat Berry Salad

This Cherry Winter Wheat Berry Salad is amazing! Both fresh and dried cherries, tender red winter wheat berries, blue cheese, toasted sliced almonds, crisp celery, sautéed onions and thyme and diced leftover cooked chicken breast are tossed with a power mix of salad greens. A delicious, nutritious and wholesome salad.

Course Salads

Cuisine American

Keyword blue cheese, cherry, chicken, salad, winter wheat berry

Prep Time 40

Additional Time 1

Total Time 41

Servings servings

Calories 405

Author Laurie McNamara

Equipment

OXO Cherry / Olive Pitter

Ingredients

FOR THE APPLE CIDER VINAIGRETTE:

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon maple syrup
1/2 to 1 clove garlic (small) grated
1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard
black pepper to taste
1/4 cup olive oil extra light

FOR THE SALAD:

1½ to 2 cups cooked winter wheat berries doesn't need to be exact
1/3 cup almonds sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 small yellow onion diced
1 teaspoon thyme leaves chopped
1/2 cup celery sliced
1/3 cup dried cherries
2 ounces blue cheese crumbled
2 tablespoons parsley minced
5 ounces power greens salad blend

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

TO PREPARE THE VINAIGRETTE:

In a small jar, add the vinegar and salt. Whisk until dissolved. Then add in the maple syrup, garlic, dijon, pepper and oil. Whisk well until ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.

TO PREPARE THE SALAD:

Rinse 1 cup red winter wheat berries under water until the water runs clear. Add the rinsed wheat berries plus 2-1/2 cups water into a rice cooker and cook on the brown rice setting. This takes about 30 to 40 minutes. Transfer and spread out onto a large plate to cool.
Meanwhile, prep the remaining ingredients.
Toast almonds in a dry skillet over medium-low until fragrant and golden. Transfer to a clean dish to cool.
In the same skillet, add butter and onions with a small pinch of salt. Cook over medium to medium-low for 8 to 10 mintues or until the edges start to turn light golden brown. Add in thyme and cook 1 minute. Remove off of the heat and let cool.
In a large mixing bowl add the (cooled) wheat berries, almonds and sauteed onions and thyme. Add in the sliced celery, dried cherries, blue cheese and parsley. Toss to combine.
Add in the power greens and chicken. Toss once more before transferrign to a large serving bowl or platter.
Top with pitted and halved cherries and drizzle with desired amount of dressing.

Nutrition