“O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Percy Bysshe Shelley
Grain salads are hearty and can be made with whatever you have on hand. They are great to bring to potluck as they hold up well. This one used a fabulous wheat berry grain from France but you could substitute Israeli couscous, quinoa or your favorite grain. It is more a “how I made it” kind of post than a true recipe.
The grain is toasted before cooking it to bring out nuttier flavor, give it a nice toothsome bite and enhance its color. I paired savory and sweet elements for balance and brought in plenty of crunch with shredded cabbage, celery, and pecans. Feel free to substitute freely. The citrus notes make the salad sing! I can’t say enough about all the flavors you can develop by using flavored oils and vinegars. The Meyer Lemon balsamic I paired with garlic olive oil from Cardenas’ in Philadelphia’s Italian market are incredible and appearing in all my winter salads right now. Visit one of the popular olive oil tasting shops that are popping up all over right now and discover some new favorites to bring into your kitchen. The nutritional value of this salad is off the charts and it delivers an exciting explosion of flavors and textures to brighten a drab winter day. You can easily add cooked chicken to the salad if desired.
Winter Grain Salad with Orange, Dates, Cabbage and Pecans
Ingredients:
- 1 lb of wheat berry or other grain
- 2 T olive oil
- pinch of salt
- water to cover the grains by about an inch
- 4 c shredded cabbage
- 1 c thinly sliced red onion
- 2 stalks of celery cut into thin slices
- 2 large navel oranges, zested, pith removed, cut in bite-sized segments
- 8 oz dried cranberrries
- 12 dates, halved and diced
- 1 large sweet potato, cooked, peeled and cut in bite-sized pieces
- 2/3 c of fresh herbs, chopped(I used parsley)
- juice of a lemon
- 1/2 c flavored olive oil(I used garlic)
- 1/4 c flavored balsamic vinegar(I used Meyer Lemon)
- fresh ground pepper
- 1 c pecan halves, toasted
- In a large pot, heat oil then add your grain and mix constantly until the grain becomes toasted to a gorgeous amber color. Add water to cover the grain by about an inch and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and cook covered for 15 minutes or until your water has been absorbed. Don’t overcook. You want some toothsome bite to the grain.
- In a large salad bowl, place the grain. Add the shredded cabbage, onion and celery. Mix the flavored olive oil and balsamic to make a simple vinaigrette. Toss the salad with the vinaigrette. Add a few grinds of pepper. Layer on the oranges, cranberries, orange zest, sweet potatoes and parsley and splash with the squeezed lemon juice. Toss.
- Top the salad with the toasted pecans and chopped dates and a few more grinds of pepper. Do not toss until ready to serve.
- Enjoy at room temperature.
Looks great!
Thank you Lynz! It was a burst of sunshine on a rainy day.
Johanne Lamarche
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🙂
Looks awesome Johanne! Love the idea of the dates with citrus!
Thanks Holly! I love dates too and they were so good in this salad. If you want some of this grain, just let me know. I have a lot of it!
Johanne Lamarche
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This salad has it all—and it’s vegan. perfect for my new approach this year (VB6 or vegan before 6pm!) thanks, Johanne!
I like the before 6 vegan concept Nancy! Glad you enjoyed this salad. Really enjoyed it too!
Johanne Lamarche
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Gorgeous rainbow of salad Johanne, and I love your sunset snow painting!
Jenna
Thanks so much Jenna! Honored your artist’s eye noticed💕❤️💕
Sent from my iPhone
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I have a potluck dinner on the near horizon and I do believe this recipe would be perfect. So when I make it I will let you know how much everyone will no doubt love it.
Hi Teresa! I took this to the International Women’s potluck this week and it was enjoyed. Hope you can find Meyer Lemon oil. It imparts such a burst of flavor to the salad. I almost made your grapefruit cake to bring but I know we always end up with too many desserts and decided on the salad.
Johanne Lamarche
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As one who sampled the dish, I have to say that the dates just put it over the top for me. They keep you guessing what that extra texture is. The dressing is just exceptional! Thanks for posting it.
I also LOVE that snow scene!
Glad you enjoyed the salad Lynne! Hope it was half as much as I enjoyed your delicious spaghetti pie! Those oils and vinegars are what made that vinaigrette so good. Lucky for you you can visit Cardenas on your next trip to the Italian Market! So happy you noticed the painting. I love winter sunsets which occur so early in Northern Ontario!
Johanne Lamarche
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