Beyond whipping up hummus and falafel, my Mediterranean/Greek food skills were lacking. It was time for that to change. A few years ago when we were still living in Portland, I accompanied a friend to a farmers market where I experienced a Greek wheat berry salad that kind of changed my life. Well, that’s dramatic. But I remember it was one of the first meals that proved to me you really don’t need meat or gobs of peanut butter to fill you up. The idea to recreate that salad at home stuck with me, and I’m so glad it finally surfaced. You’re going to love this simple salad. It’s hearty, customizable year-round, and requires just 10 ingredients including the simple Greek dressing. It all starts with wheat berries – a whole grain that’s nutty with a slight chew and loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals. Next come roasted onions and leeks, baby tomatoes, kalamata olives, and a 5-ingredient savory Greek dressing. It all melds together to create a seriously hearty, flavorful Greek salad perfect for lunch, dinner or a snack. The wheat berries provide chew and heartiness, the roasted veggies warm things up and add a comforting touch, and olives and tomatoes keep it light and fresh. Serve this salad as is or with your favorite add-ins. I enjoyed mine with garlic hummus and pita chips. You could also throw in some fresh greens for more nutrition. Took me right back to the farmers market where I inhaled my first Mediterranean wheat berry salad out of a paper cup in the summer sun. Good memories. I hope you make this salad and enjoy it much as I did. Cheers!
