Sprouted Wheat berry salad

Did you know you can sprout wheat berries? Wheat berries are whole wheat kernels which have had their husks removed. They are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and to me sprouting them could only make them better. I made a salad with these sprouts. I did not cook these berries so they were a little chewy. The common way to use this berry is to boil them for an hour. I took the alternate route of sprouting them.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup sprouted wheat berries
- 1/2 cup nuts _ I used a combination of pecans and walnuts
- 2 stalks of celery chopped
- 1 green onion chopped
- 1/2 cup craisins
- 1/2 cup cilantro - Keep 2 tbsp aside
- 1 tbsp lemon juice (Add more if you would like this tart)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- black pepper and salt to taste

Method:
1. In a small bowl whisk the olive oil, pepper, salt and lemon juice to make a salad dressing.
2. In a bowl toss all the ingredients except the nuts and the 2 tbsp of cilantro. Mix in the salad deressing. Refrigerate this for an hour.
3. Before serving toss in the nuts and garnish it with the remaining cilantro.

Serve it chilled with a hot soup and bread. Perfect for a hot day.

Jícama Salad

When I visited my local farmers market I found Jicama and thought I will give it a try. It is an ugly looking root vegetable. After a little bit of research I found that it is used quite a lot in salads. I was skeptical and did not think I could eat this raw. But once you cut into it you realize why it is used so much in salads. Although the outsides are hard the insides are tender and juicy. It tastes like pears but not so sweet. Give it a try and you will be amazed - I was...


Ingredients:
- 1 jicama
- 1 cucumber
- 1 red bell pepper (You can use any and all colors)
- 1 orange pealed and segmented
- 1 small onion
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves finely chopped

Dressing: (adjust to taste)
- juice of 2 lemons
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- salt

Method:
1. In a small bowl mix all the ingredients for dressing and keep it aside.
2. Cut all the vegetables to bit size pieces. Wash them and pat them dry
3. Now in the serving bowl add the dressing, oranges and vegetables. Toss them well. Finally add the chopped cilantro and give it a mix
4. Refrigerate the salad until you are ready to serve.

The salad with lemon and jicama is crisp and tangy.




Sending this recipe to veg inspirations -healthy salad event.

This recipe also finds its way to Serve Me Some Salad hosted by Maduri

Pasta Salad

Ingredients

- 1 cup boiled Pasta
- 1 Tomato
- 1 small onion
- 1 cucumber
- 3-4 mini sweet bell pepper
- handful walnuts
- grated ginger
- juice of half lemon
- salt and pepper to taste

Method

1.Cut the vegetables in bite size pieces
2.Toss the vegetables, pasta and walnuts
3.Grate ginger, squeeze lemon juice and add salt and pepper
4. Toss everything together