Best Jeweled Mixed Grain Salad With Fruit And Herbs From Standards Of Excellences Chef Rachelle Boucher Recipes

GRAIN SALAD

Steps:

• For the dressing: Add the oil, vinegar, Dijon, honey, oregano and garlic to a mason jar. Pop on the lid and give it a good shake to combine and emulsify. Set aside.
• For the salad ingredients: Add the baby kale to a large bowl. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add 2 tablespoons of the dressing and toss to coat. Transfer to a serving platter. Add the grain blend to the bowl. Top with the roasted peppers, olives, banana peppers and half of the goat cheese. Add half of the remaining dressing, reserving the rest for another time, and toss to combine. Garnish the salad with the remaining goat cheese, then the basil and parsley.

MIXED-GRAIN SALAD WITH DRIED FRUIT

Steps:

• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add shallots and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add brown rice, wild rice and wheat berries; stir to coat. Add 2 cups water and 2 cups stock. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until grains are tender and liquid is absorbed, about 40 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir cranberries, apricots, and currants into grains. Cool to room temperature.
• Whisk vinegar, walnut oil, and sage in small bowl to blend. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Season generously with salt and pepper.(Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Stir pecans into salad and serve.

HERBED GRAIN SALAD WITH MUSHROOMS, HAZELNUTS AND PEARS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Stir in barley and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook at a gentle boil until tender but not mushy, 30 to 40 minutes. (Different grains will cook at different rates.)
• Make the dressing: In a food processor, combine the greens, dill and garlic and process until finely chopped, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add the whole nuts and pulse a few times to coarsely chop. While the motor is running, add the 3/4 cup oil gradually in a slow stream and process until smooth. Add the vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper (12 to 16 grinds), and mix. Taste and adjust the seasonings with vinegar, oil, salt and pepper. It should taste bright and rich.
• Cook the mushrooms: In a wide, medium-size pot, combine the mushrooms and 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid evaporates, about 10 minutes. Stir in the 2 tablespoons oil and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms are completely cooked through and well browned, 5 to 10 minutes more. (The mushrooms will shrink quite a bit.) Remove from the heat and sprinkle with salt.
• When the barley is cooked, drain it well and return to the pot. Let cool until warm, stirring occasionally. (If the dressing is added when the grains are too hot, it will turn brown and taste "cooked.") Stir in a little oil if needed to prevent sticking. Stir in dressing and set aside, stirring occasionally, to let the grains absorb the dressing, at least 10 minutes.
• When ready to serve, taste the barley and season again. Gently mix in mushrooms, pear and chopped nuts. Transfer to a serving bowl, garnish with lots of dill, and serve warm or at room temperature.

GREAT GRAIN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add barley and wild rice. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 55-65 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, cook basmati rice according to package directions. Cool barley and rices to room temperature., In a large bowl, combine the almonds, sunflower kernels, pumpkin seeds, dried fruit, parsley and orange zest; add barley and rices. , In a small bowl, whisk the vinaigrette ingredients. Pour over salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.