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Power Grain Salad

This salad is nutritious & bursting with flavour. It is sure to become a regular on your dinner table or included in your picnic basket.

It was my job to bring a salad this year (2019) to Christmas lunch. Armed with a heap of recipe books my brother had given me this year for my birthday I found this little gem. It was a big hit with everyone.

It stayed good for 3 days. Well, that is how long the leftovers lasted anyway.

Power Grain Salad

This tasty salad will not disappoint. With barley as the main ingredient, you will enjoy the chewy, mild nutty flavour then the sweetness of apples, dates & crunchy celery will hit you.

  • 1.5 cups Pearl barley (or farro perlato )
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 cup pitted dates, chopped small
  • 1 red onion, peeled & finely chopped
  • 1.5 cups small-diced celery
  • 1/2 cup packed fresh finely cut coriander leaves
  • 1 red apple, cored & UNPEELED, cut into small dice
  • 1/2 to 3/4 cup unblanched, roasted almonds
  • 1 – 1.5 cups baby spinach & or rocket (OPTIONAL EXTRA )

DRESSING

  • 6 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup plain unsweetened Greek-style yoghurt
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, peeled & finely chopped
  • 2 – 3 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt & freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chilli sauce to taste (OPTIONAL – or sweet chilli sauce)

  1. Cook the barley in salted boiling water with the turmeric, uncovered for 20 – 25 minutes or until soft by still a little chewy. Drain, rinse under cold water & drain again. Set aside. (this could be done the day before and kept in the fridge until required)

  2. Prepare the dates, onion, celery coriander & apple & combine with the cooked drained barley in a large bowl.

  3. Combine the dressing ingredients thoroughly and stir into the salad. Cover & refrigerate if not required immediately – this salad benefits from allowing the flavours to meld.

  4. Bring to room temperature, toss & garnish with roasted almonds. At this point also add the salad greens (spinach/rocket for example) if using.