I was in the store the other day, thinking about my need to try something new, when I stumbled on a package of wheat berries. I decided I’ll try my hand at making a wheat berry salad. I couldn’t find a recipe that I liked so I decided to make my own…

I had lots of tomatoes I needed to use up. The avocado I had purchased for the weekend was not ripe on time. I love how tomato and avocado go together – both the colors and the taste. To use up my tomatoes, I tried brushing them and “roasting” them in the oven. They were delicious and we ended up snacking on them plain. I made another batch, as I thought it would be a great addition to this salad.

About Wheat Berries:

No, they are not a berry. Wheat berries refer to the whole, unprocessed version of wheat. They are very high in fiber and are a whole grain but are NOT gluten free. They take a while to cook – leave at least an hour – and lots of water. Soaking them in advance can help speed cooking time. Prepare them as instructed on the package – you need them to be cooked already for this recipe.

Wheat Berry Salad Ingredients:

2 Large tomatoes
Approx. 2 T olive oil (divided)
salt
garlic powder
Italian seasoning or similar spice
2 cups cooked wheat berries
1 avocado cut into cubes.
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 small red onion, chopped

Roasted Tomato Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Slice the tomatoes into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Spread them on a cookie sheet. Brush on olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until starting to brown. Be careful not to burn it.

Wheat Berry Salad Directions:

Cook wheat berries according to package directions – you need 2 cups after it’s cooked, about 3/4 cup raw. Add avocado and onion. Add 2 teaspoons of the olive oil, the balsamic vinegar, more salt, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Top with roasted tomatoes. Serve at room temperature.

Hint: The softness of the avocado helps balance out the toughness of the wheat. It also helps make the salad creamy with the need for very little dressing.

Bon Appetit!

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