Healthy Wheat Berry And Shrimp Salad With Thai Vinaigrette Food

BEET, WALNUT, WHEAT BERRY SALAD WITH CILANTRO LIME VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook the wheat berries in salted water until softened and chewy. You can either soak overnight to reduce cooking time; bring to a boil, remove from heat and then let soak a few hours in advance; or bring to a boil and simmer until cooked through. It is important to salt the water when cooking the grains so they absorb the salt and have flavor--but don't over salt!
• Once the wheat berries are cooked to your desired consistency, drain them and drizzle with the rice wine vinegar (they absorb more flavor now than when they cool).
• Heat oven to 400°F While the wheat berries are cooking, cut the tops and bottoms off the beets, peel, and cube into 1/2" pieces. In a bowl, toss cubed beets with the 2 tbsp olive oil and salt to taste. Spread evenly on a cooking sheet (preferably lined w/parchment paper for no stick cooking and easy clean-up). Cook beets until they are beginning to caramelize (approximately 30 - 45 minutes). Remove from oven and allow to cool a bit.
• In a large bowl, add cooked wheat berries, drained beans (or other legume), roasted beets, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, scallions, cilantro, lime zest and juice, and olive oil. Stir well. Taste. Season with more salt, acid (either more citrus juice or vinegar), or oil to bring the flavors in to balance.

WHEAT SWEET SALAD

Steps:

• In large saucepan, add wheat and 6 cups of water. Cook about 3 hours on low heat. Add one more cup of water if necessary Do not let wheat burn. The wheat will puff up and be very soft. Stir once in a while. Watch the water.
• Drain any remaining water in colandar. Rinse with cool water.
• In mixing bowl, mix cream cheese, instant vanilla pudding and crushed pineapple and juice. Beat on low speed until mixed.
• Add cool whip, and mix in low speed.
• Add cooked rinsed wheat, and fold into cream cheese mixture.
• Note: You can use Instant Pistashio Pudding or instant lemon pudding.
• You can also freeze this salad. A long keeper dish for the refrigerator too.

SHRIMP SALAD WITH VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic, sugar and orange zest. Whisk in oil; set aside. Cut oranges into 1/2-in. slices; cut slices into quarters. Add oranges, shrimp and pimientos to dressing; toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour., Just before serving, toss the shrimp mixture with lettuces and onions.