Spelt Summer Salad Recipes

SPELT SUMMER SALAD

Steps:

• Combine spelt with water in large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until all of the water is absorbed and grain is tender (about 1 hour). Drain spelt, rinse with cold water, and refrigerate until use (at least 30 minutes to chill; overnight is fine, too).
• Whisk together balsamic vinegar and oil. Lightly toss together spelt, chopped red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives, adding oil-and-vinegar dressing last.
• Either serve immediately, sprinkled with feta cheese, or refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to mingle (adding feta cheese right before serving).

PEARLED SPELT SALAD WITH PEAS & GOOSEBERRIES

Steps:

• Put the onion, celery and carrot in a pan with 200ml water. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 mins. Add the spelt to the pan, cover and continue to simmer for 10 mins. Add the sliced fennel and pea pods, and cook for a further 10 mins. Check that the spelt is cooked - it should be soft but slightly al dente. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water, then strain. Put the spelt and poached vegetables in the fridge to cool for 1 hr.
• To serve, put the salad leaves on a plate, then spoon the spelt and vegetables on top. Dress the plate with the tomatoes, gooseberries, pea pods and fennel fronds. Finally, drizzle with a little rapeseed oil.

GRAIN SALAD WITH TOMATOES AND CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook farro in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown and toasted (it should start to smell like popcorn and some grains may pop), about 4 minutes. Remove pot from heat and pour in cold water to cover grains by 1"; throw in a healthy handful of salt. Set pot over medium-high heat and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, skimming foam occasionally from surface, until grains are tender but still have some bite, 25-35 minutes. Drain and transfer farro to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, toast pine nuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• Add pine nuts, cucumbers, both kinds of tomatoes, red onion, lemon juice, oil, and vinegar to bowl with farro and toss everything together to combine. Taste and season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.
• Top salad with basil just before serving.
• Do Ahead
• Farro can be cooked 1 day ahead. Let cool; cover and chill.