She Strengthens

Nourishing Grain Salad for Any Occasion

This wholesome, flavorful grain salad is a versatile delight that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with grilled or roasted fish or meat. Its convenient make-ahead nature makes it perfect for picnics, hikes, camping trips, potlucks, or packing for work or school lunches.

Discover the Nutritional Power of Rye Berries

Rye berries are a nutritional powerhouse, boasting a pleasantly chewy texture and impressive health benefits. When combined with the probiotic-rich kefir, fresh herbs, and crunchy fried onions, this salad becomes a symphony of flavors and textures.

Customize to Your Taste

Feel free to add your favorite vegetables and herbs to the salad to suit your taste preferences. Plus, the dressing and fried onions can be used as standalone components to elevate other dishes.

Tips and Variations

• Leave carrot peels intact to save time and boost nutrition.
• The dressing will keep for up to a month in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Fried onions can be stored separately to maintain crunchiness and added just before serving.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices to give the salad a unique twist.

Recipe Details

Yields: 4 servings
Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 2 hours (includes chilling time)
Active Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the Rye Berry Salad:

• 2 cups rye berries
• 6 cups water
• Kosher salt
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 6 rainbow baby carrots, unpeeled and diced
• Maldon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 cup Fried Onions
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 cup Basic Herbed Kefir Dressing
• 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 3 tablespoons grated fresh horseradish

For the Basic Herbed Kefir Dressing:

• 1 cup organic plain whole-milk kefir
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 cup combined chopped fresh dill and mint
• 1/2 teaspoon Maldon sea salt

For the Fried Onions:

• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 cup ghee or clarified butter
• Pinch of Maldon sea salt

Instructions

Make the Basic Herbed Kefir Dressing

Combine kefir, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, dill, mint, and salt. Mix and taste, adding more salt if needed. Chill for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.

Make the Fried Onions

Slice the onion with the grain. Heat ghee over medium heat, add onions, and cook until evenly browned and almost crunchy, 15-20 minutes. Season with a pinch of sea salt.

Make the Rye Berry Salad

Cook rye berries in salted water until al dente, 45-60 minutes. Drain and cool. Sauté carrots in olive oil until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Combine cooked rye berries, carrots, fried onions, and parsley. Drizzle with kefir dressing, vinegar, and olive oil, and toss to combine. Season with salt, pepper, and horseradish. Serve.