A delicious way to eat whole grains! Wheat berries are tossed with roasted brussels sprouts, shallots, walnuts and a lemon vinaigrette. Yum.

Everything you ever wanted to know about wheat berries!

How to cook them, how to use them, and a recipe for a whole grain salad made with them.

Did you make any food-related resolutions this year?

I don’t have resolutions—I have goals. (I like to pretend there’s a difference and that somehow, goals are much more achievable.)

I want to eat less sugar. I’m trying to eat more fruit – I’ve always liked veggies more than fruit, and sometimes it’s a struggle to get myself to eat it. (Unless it’s in pie form. But I’m cutting down on sugar, remember?) And I want to eat more grains.

Yes, grains! Delicious, nutritious whole grains. So you might see some more grains around here this year. And if you don’t see more grains around here, it means that I’m a big failure.

I guess grains aren’t the most exciting thing to see on a food blog, are they? I mean, if I told you that you’d be seeing more Rolos on Oh My Veggies this year, you’d probably be pretty jazzed. But instead, I’m telling you to be on the lookout for… bulgur! Barley! Wheat Berries! Ooooh.

What can you do with wheat berries?

You can add them to salads or soups! Use them instead of rice or other grains! They’re great when tossed with a simple vinaigrette, salt and pepper, and roasted vegetables. Just about any vegetable will work, so this is a great way to use what’s in season.

In this recipe, I’ve roasted brussel sprouts with shallots and walnuts and added them to a batch of wheat berries. I used a light lemon vinaigrette, but one made with vinegar and oil would work just as well. You can serve this as a side dish, but it’s also filling enough that it can be served as a healthy meal.

Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup red wheat berries
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 lb brussel sprouts trimmed and quartered
• 1 shallot large, chopped
• 2 tbsp olive oil divided
• ¼ cup walnut pieces
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• zest from 1 lemon
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

• Combine wheat berries and vegetable broth in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook until tender, about 50 minutes. Drain off excess liquid. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• While wheat berries are cooking, start brussel sprouts. Toss brussel sprouts, shallots, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large bowl. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until browned, stirring halfway through cooking time. Remove from oven and stir in walnut pieces (they will toast on the hot baking sheet!).
• Whisk together lemon juice, zest, remaining oil, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add wheat berries and roasted vegetables; toss to combine, then serve.

Nutrition