Best Wheat Berry Tapenade Recipes

WHEAT BERRY SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot combine the wheat berries and enough water to come 2 inches over the wheat berries. Bring to a boil and cook uncovered for 1 hour, or until tender. Drain and let cool. Toast the walnuts in a medium dry skillet over medium-high heat until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes.
• In a large bowl, combine the wheat berries, walnuts, celery, dried cherries, scallions, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

WHEAT BERRIES WITH ROASTED BEETS AND CARROTS

Steps:

• Put a rimmed baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Toast the wheat berries in a large dry pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring often, 6 to 7 minutes. Add 8 cups water and season with salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot occasionally, until the wheat berries are tender but still slightly chewy, 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes, adding up to 1 cup more water if needed. Drain. Wipe out the pot and reserve.
• Meanwhile, place the beets on a large sheet of foil; drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Fold and crimp the edges to form a packet, leaving room for steam to circulate. Transfer the packet directly to the oven rack and roast until the beets are tender when pierced with a knife, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool slightly, then rub off the skins with a paper towel and cut into wedges.
• Meanwhile, remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the carrots and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; toss. Roast until tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the reserved pot over medium-high heat. Add the red onion, fennel, garlic, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and the fennel is crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Add the wheat berries, carrots and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook, stirring, until warmed through, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the orange juice, lemon juice and all but 2 tablespoons parsley; season with salt and pepper. Stir in the beets. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Serve warm or at room temperature.

WHEAT BERRY SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place the wheat berries and 3 cups of boiling salted water in a saucepan over low heat and cook, uncovered, until they are soft, about 45 minutes. Drain.
• Place the squash, onion, red and yellow bell peppers and green pepper on a sheet tray and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Lay out a piece of foil and add the garlic. Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap the garlic in the foil and add to the sheet tray. Roast the vegetables until the peppers are lightly charred and the squash is tender and evenly browned, about 30 minutes, tossing halfway through for even cooking.
• Remove the vegetables from the oven and let stand until cool enough to handle. Finely dice the onion and peppers. Add to a large bowl with the squash and set aside.
• Add the garlic to a small bowl and mash it with a fork Stir in the vinegar and mustard and season with salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil.
• In a large bowl, combine the warm wheat berries, roasted vegetables and vinaigrette. Allow the salad to sit for at least 30 minutes for the wheat berries to absorb the dressing. Just before serving, add the currants and basil and season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.

PRECOOKED WHEAT BERRIES

Steps:

• Set the wheat berries in a sauce pan, cover with the water and soak overnight. The following day boil the berries in the same water for 20 minutes, if you want them parboiled only (to cook later on in casseroles or soups) or for 1 hour if you want them fully cooked. Drain well and cool thoroughly. Transfer the cooked wheat berries to a glass jar and store them in the refrigerator for 4 days. Store them in the freezer only if you are going to use them in soups, stews or casseroles. The freezer softens their texture and makes them less chewy.