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Wheatberry Salad
Copyright, 2002, Barefoot Contessa Family Style, All Rights Reserved
Show: Barefoot Contessa  Episode: Back for the Weekend
Overall User Rating: Overall User Rating


Great!
12/30/2007 at 10:05pm
User: Carla from Reserve, NM    User Rating:
I had bought some wheatberries thinking I'd seen a breakfast recipe in crockpot cookbook. Nope - it was only a recipe on how to cook the wheatberries in the crockpot. Next time I'm going to plan this and cook them in the crockpot, btw. However, they were chewy and flavorful. I had roasted some broccoli & greenbeans in the toaster oven. I mixed it with these berries and the simple balsamic dressing. Then when I served it, put toasted almonds and a little parmesan and fontinella on it. Going to try putting chopped roma tomatoes as soon as I get some from the store and try it all cold. :D A really hearty, chewy flavorful meatless meal!




Yum
12/11/2006 at 08:56pm
User: Jennifer from Brentwood, MO    User Rating:
Different...tangly...very good! Could be great for a picnic.




Potential
11/03/2007 at 06:10pm
User: Susan from Stillwater, OK    User Rating:
I was excited to try this recipe. After reading some of the other reviews, I did 'spice' up the dressing by doubling the balsamic vinegar. The flavor of this recipe is good. I believe the recipe can be good...BUT after simmering/boiling those wheatberries for 75 minutes, the texture was still that of the unpopped corn kernels in the bottom of my movie popcorn bag. If you plan to make this recipe, I suggest you boil those wheatberries not for a specified time, but until you get the consistency you need (al dente).




Try this!
10/17/2006 at 03:37pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
The wheatberries were tough to find at my grocery store but Whole Foods had them. Look in the bulk grain section. It was a snap to make and so tasty. I highly recommend this dish.




Loved this healthy salad!
10/15/2006 at 05:20pm
User: KELLY from SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA    User Rating:
I prepared this salad just as it is written; however, I did cook the berries a bit longer than the recommended 45 minutes. I served it on a bed of arugula - it was yummy!!




Great Salad
10/09/2006 at 11:39pm
User: Margot from Colorado Springs, CO    User Rating:
I made this salad last month for neighborhood picnic and everybody liked it. I added chopped tomatoes.




Different
08/27/2006 at 02:30pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
This was a nice change from the ordinary. I don't think I would want it every day, but it was a good change of pace. It makes a lot, but the leftovers were pretty good.




Good, but missing something
08/09/2006 at 06:11pm
User: DEDE from Arlington, VA    User Rating:
I loved the colors and textures of this salad, however, I felt like it was missing something...perhaps more spice? I will probably make it again, but will either add some spices (not sure what would be best) or perhaps even some dijon mustard to it.




wonderful & healthy
08/04/2006 at 04:18pm
User: Jill from Clifton, TX    User Rating:
I didn't have any wheatberries on hand, so I used quinoa instead. My salad may have been less crunchy than the wheatberry version, but great none the less. I also added a little grainy creole mustard to the vinegar. Next time, I think I may add some cucumbers to the cooled mixture.




Needs a little something
07/30/2007 at 02:04pm
User: Lauri from Huntersville, NC    User Rating:
I made this recipe, and as always followed it as printed the first time I made it. I found this to be bland. I thought the contrast of the wheatberry and vegetables good, but it needed more flavor in the "dressing" to pull it together. I think more balsamic, or the addition of a store bought balsamic salad dressing would bring all of the flavors in this recipe together and a pinch or so more of salt.




just perfect
06/03/2007 at 05:16pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
i really love this salad




sometimes substitution isnt worth it
05/30/2007 at 12:13am
User: CHRIS from POINT MUGU, CA    User Rating:
I couldnt find wheatberries anywhere so I used barley instead. it takes twice as long to cook and still comes out al dente. if you cant find wheatberries then DO NOT make this salad. I added things to my taste such as tomatoes and dried herbs. with everything mixed, it tastes awesome, but it wasnt worth the trouble. like I said, if you cant find wheatberries for this recipe then do not make it. substituting the main ingredient isnt worth it.




Chewy goodness
05/23/2007 at 02:05am
User: RB from Hamilton, CANADA    User Rating:
Nice, fresh salad recipe - very hearty and filling. Mixed reviews at my table. I loved the chewiness of the wheatberries (kind of like barley) and the surprising heartiness. This will make a great portable lunch for work! The male side of the family didn't care so much for the texture, and thought there was too much onion flavour. I had to agree - I think I'll skip the scallions next time. And reduce the oil, as it doesn't really need that additional 4 tablespoons - I think an additional 2 would work fine. It would make a great potluck dish, I think.




A little tangy, but good
05/22/2007 at 01:45pm
User: Michelle from Bellingham, WA    User Rating:
This salad was relatively easy to make - just some veggie chopping. I cut back on the olive oil by 2 tbsp (used 4 total). I actually perfered this warm than I did straight from the fridge.




Tastes better the next day.
05/09/2007 at 05:48pm
User: MICKEY from chicago, IL    User Rating:
Very good, and filling.




Refreshing
05/09/2007 at 02:33pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
It's a five star recipe with the following changes...Add an additional cup of water for cooking and cook an additional 15 minutes. Berries will still be firm. Add 2 stalks of chopped celery and 2 tsp. of Old Bay Seasoning.




totally loved it!
04/17/2006 at 11:15pm
User: kelly from santa monica, CA    User Rating:
I made this recipe on Easter Sunday with soft wheatberries(?)... I don't know the first thing about wheatberries but they turned out wonderfully! I cooked the heck out of them (over an hour on the stove) and they were just soft enough for eating. Will definitely make again!




Super and Healthy
04/12/2006 at 07:33am
User: MARY from Boston, MA    User Rating:
Both my husband I and loved this dish, although I think I needed to cook the wheatberries maybe 15 minutes longer. Still delish even with a slight crunch. Will definitely make this again. You go Ina, your recipies are awesome. I just bought some of your prepacked products at Stonewall Kitchen in Maine. Looking forward to trying them. The sales girl said your cookies were awesome - she ate 3 of them when they were passing out samples!




Delicious and Heathy
04/07/2006 at 04:36pm
User: Edward from Kennewick, WA    User Rating:
I cooked the wheatberries for about an hour and they were done perfectly. They had a very nice "toothsome" bite. There was only two of us so I only made half the recipe. Next time I'll make the whole thing so there will be leftovers.




Just wonderful & healthy!!
04/07/2006 at 03:36pm
User: Kelly from colorado springs, CO    User Rating:
What a great & quiltless salad! Perfect to have with grilled chicken.




Soak the wheatberries
04/06/2006 at 07:52pm
User: Deborah Kay from Fair Oaks, CA    User Rating:
I followed the instructions exactly although my experience suggested that the wheatberries should be soaked prior to cooking. Indeed, after even an hour of cooking, the wheatberries were not soft enough for eating. Perhaps the soaking was left out of the instructions????????




Delicious
04/03/2006 at 04:51pm
User: Janette from Racine, WI    User Rating:
This is a wonderful salad. For anyone having trouble locating wheatberries, you may have to go to a health food store as I did. I added a tiny bit of minced serrano peppers just for a little kick. Excellent!.




Great healthy recipe
04/03/2006 at 02:52am
User: Janni from Vancouver, WA    User Rating:
This is a great healthy recipe, use as a side dish to any meat or vegetarian dish. Lots of fiber and good for you oils, also a great money saver!




This is so versitile!
04/02/2006 at 06:43pm
User: Kathy from Rhinelander, WI    User Rating:
I made this for the first time today and I can see that the recipe can be varied in a million ways depending on what's in the frig. The basic stuff is a great start and then you can add whatever is around to make it different every time!




Wonderfully satisfying
04/02/2006 at 12:57pm
User: JENNIFER from S Yarmouth, MA    User Rating:
I'm making this today for the second time .. it's crunchy, delicious and healthy!




EXCELLENT
03/01/2006 at 04:40pm
User: Alexis from Madison, WI    User Rating:
This salad is very satisfying. I added a couple of other vegetables, yellow squash and pea pods. It is just delicious!




Great side dish
02/28/2006 at 12:52pm
User: Ann from North Potomac, MD    User Rating:
I'd been looking for a wheatberry salad recipe similar to ones at upscale salad bars (for $5.99/lb). This was a very inexpensive dish that made a large amount (enough for 4 with leftovers). I didn't have scallions but I added some dried raspberries (could use craisins also I'm sure). Wheatberries are listed on a cancer nutrition website as high in fiber and other nutrients. My husband and I both enjoyed it.




Virginia, we have a problem...
02/26/2007 at 08:32pm
User: MARY BETH from midlothian, VA    User Rating:
I cooked the first cup of wheatberries as written and dried them out and burned them in the pan(great...)The second time I added an additiional cup of water (4 C. altogether)and placed the lid partially on-success! I used shallots instead of red onion (had them on hand) and a whole yellow pepper. It's really good and unique as I have not cooked with many grains and never wheatberries before. They were very inexpensive at the whole foods store. They are a bit chewey-but I think that is the idea! As a personal chef I will try this on some of my customers next week with a fish entree and see how it goes.




Winter Wheat Berry Brittle
02/13/2007 at 03:09pm
User: S. from Temecula, CA    User Rating:
I would agree with the other reviewers on this salad. I soaked the wheat berries for about two hours in hot water before I cooked it up and the wheat berries still were a bit too hard for my tastes. I liked this salad in concept but it needs some futzing around with to give it that something extra that it needs. I'll try it again and hopefully this time it will wow them.




Healthy and Good
02/12/2008 at 03:21pm
User: Anonymous    User Rating:
I only gave this 4 stars because the wheatberries need at least 15 minutes more cooking time and it turned out a bit bland. That being said, because it's served at room temp, this is now a staple picnic or side pot luck dish. It's different every time I make it - mainly because I keep substituting ingredients based upon what's in my kitchen. I generally add dried cranberries or other dried fruit, extra herbs such as parsley, top quality aged balsamic vinegar, and I cook the wheatberries in home made vegetable or chicken stock. It's great for the vegans of our lives, and even my red-meat-loving carnivore husband devours it.




Fresh and Healthy
01/06/2008 at 12:53am
User: Tiffany from San Diego, CA    User Rating:
This has great flavor! I add basil and one extra chopped carrot to the recipe. It is delicious!!!