Every time I serve this salad at a party, people contact me afterward asking for the recipe.  It’s a crowd-pleaser and a nice change of pace from traditional pasta salads.  For all of you who’ve asked me recently, here you go!

Herbed Grains Salad

1 1/4 cups dry grains medley (try Trader Joe’s Harvest Grains, or any mixed grains you like such as wild rice, Israeli Couscous, whole wheat orzo, rice-lentil combos, etc)

1 large apple, diced

½-1 English cucumber (also called Hothouse, in the plastic wrapper), diced

4 green onions thinly sliced

1/3 cup dried cranberries

¼ cup toasted sliced almonds

Large handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

Large handful of fresh mint leaves, roughly chopped

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

Juice of ½ an orange or a lemon

3 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

¼ cup Extra Virgin olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste

Cook grains according to package directions, making sure to include some salt in the water for flavor.  When cooked, spread grains out onto a dinner plate to cool to room temperature.

In a large bowl, whisk together maple syrup, vinegar, olive oil, mustard, and lemon juice with a dash of salt & pepper.  Add apples, cucumbers, scallions, herbs, and cranberries to the bowl and toss in the vinaigrette.  When grains are cool, add them to the bowl (de-clumping with your fingers if necessary), along with the toasted almonds.  Toss to coat.  Serve at room temperature or chilled.

You may also like:

• Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage
• Spice Up Your Oatmeal
• Arugula Salad with Quinoa and Dried Cherries