Wheat Berry Tapenade Recipes

WHEAT BERRY SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot combine the wheat berries and enough water to come 2 inches over the wheat berries. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered for 1 hour, or until tender. Drain and let cool. Toast the walnuts in a medium dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine the wheat berries, walnuts, celery, dried cherries, scallions, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

MUSHROOM WHEAT BERRY PILAF

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in large saute pan over low heat. Add onions and salt and sweat until soft, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Add butter to pan and melt. Add mushrooms, and soy sauce, increase heat to medium and continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes, until mushrooms release their liquid. Add wine and chicken broth and simmer 5 minutes, until wine begins to evaporate. Add wheat berries, rice, thyme, rosemary, and lemon rind to heat through. Adjust seasoning, to taste.

TAPENADE

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse the olives in cool water. Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Process to combine, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl, until the mixture becomes a coarse paste, approximately 1 to 2 minutes total. Transfer to a bowl and serve.

WHEAT BERRY TAPENADE

Steps:

• In a bowl combine all ingredients. Serve with crusty bread, on a salad or on its own.;

BASIC COOKED WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• Place all ingredients into a pressure cooker and cook on high heat until hissing begins and pressure rises. Lower heat to maintain hissing and cook for 45 minutes.

WHEAT BERRY SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the wheat berries and 3 cups of boiling salted water in a saucepan over low heat and cook, uncovered, until they are soft, about 45 minutes. Drain.
• Place the squash, onion, red and yellow bell peppers and green pepper on a sheet tray and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Lay out a piece of foil and add the garlic. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the garlic in the foil and add to the sheet tray. Roast the vegetables until the peppers are lightly charred and the squash is tender and evenly browned, about 30 minutes, tossing halfway through for even cooking.
• Remove the vegetables from the oven and let stand until cool enough to handle. Finely dice the onion and peppers. Add to a large bowl with the squash and set aside.
• Add the garlic to a small bowl and mash it with a fork Stir in the vinegar and mustard and season with salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil.
• In a large bowl, combine the warm wheat berries, roasted vegetables and vinaigrette. Allow the salad to sit for at least 30 minutes for the wheat berries to absorb the dressing. Just before serving, add the currants and basil and season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.

PRECOOKED WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• Set the wheat berries in a sauce pan, cover with the water and soak overnight. The following day boil the berries in the same water for 20 minutes, if you want them parboiled only (to cook later on in casseroles or soups) or for 1 hour if you want them fully cooked. Drain well and cool thoroughly. Transfer the cooked wheat berries to a glass jar and store them in the refrigerator for 4 days. Store them in the freezer only if you are going to use them in soups, stews or casseroles. The freezer softens their texture and makes them less chewy.

WHEATBERRY SALAD

Steps:

• Place the wheatberries and 3 cups of boiling salted water in a saucepan and cook, uncovered, over low heat for approximately 45 minutes, or until they are soft. Drain.
• Saute the red onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-low heat until translucent, approximately 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the remaining 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) of olive oil and the balsamic vinegar.
• In a large bowl, combine the warm wheatberries, sauteed onions, scallions, red bell pepper, carrot, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the pepper. Allow the salad to sit for at least 30 minutes for the wheatberries to absorb the sauce. Season, to taste, and serve at room temperature.