Chipotle and Toasted Walnut Wheat Berry Salad

By Aida Mollenkamp
Total Time
1 Hr
Serves
8
Meal
Dinner Lunch
Course
Appetizers

DESCRIPTION

Proof that whole grains don’t have to be boring, this salad has a mix of spicy and sweet flavors and with 1.14 grams of omega-3s per serving, it’s heart-healthy too!

Prep Time
20 Mins
Cook Time
40 Mins
Total Time
1 Hr
Calories
340 cal
Total Fat
15 g
Trans Fat
0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat
7 g
Cholesterol
0 mg
Sodium
85 mg
Carbohydrates
49 g
Dietary Fiber
9 g
Protein
10 g

Ingredients

  • 2 cups wheat berries, soft, rinsed (about 12 ounces)
  • Kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1/2 yellow onion, medium, finely chopped
  • 8 ounces carrots, small dice (about 2 cups)
  • 1 teaspoon thyme leaves, fresh, finely chopped
  • 1 chipotle en adobo, chopped, plus 1 teaspoon chipotle en adobo sauce
  • 1 cup walnut halves, toasted, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 3 scallions, light green and green parts thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup Italian parsley or cilantro leaves, fresh, roughly chopped

Preparation

  1. Fill a medium saucepan with heavily salted water and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in wheat berries, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until tender but still chewy, about 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and spread in a single layer on a baking sheet to cool. (Can be made through this step up to 4 days ahead. Store covered in the refrigerator until ready to use.)
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Add onion and a pinch of salt, and cook mixture until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add carrots and a pinch of salt and cook until just softened but still retains some bite, about 5 minutes more. Stir in thyme, chipotle and sauce and cook until fragrant then remove from heat.
  3. Place wheat berries in a large, nonreactive bowl and add carrot mixture, nuts, and raisins. Whisk together remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, vinegar, and honey until honey is dissolved then stir into wheat berry mixture. Let salad marinate at least 15 minutes before serving or cover and refrigerate until ready to use, up to 24 hours. Just before serving, add the scallions and herbs.