This is the perfect accompaniment to any summer barbecue. It is full of texture with a zippy dressing to cut through any richer dishes. You can swap out the vegetables for whatever you like to keep it fresh and tailor it to your needs. It is also fantastic served cold! If i am hosting a barbecue, I serve this cold and it is divine. It is also one of those dishes you can make to take along to a party or pot luck situation. This Grain Salad is my go to summer side dish when all you want to do is eat outside.
Now I know the title Grain Salad is not themes inventive or exciting title. But please do not let this put you off. This is one dish that I know will always be empty no matter how much I make. This is down to the different textures and the dressing. The mix of grains in this are Barley, Rice and Spelt. You can of course use any grains you wish even just rice to make a rice salad works wonderfully. The grain mix is also something I buy pre-mixed from Gallo.
I make this in the morning, roast the veg and cook the grains and make the dressing. Toss together and throw, covered, in the fridge. The dressing is super easy to make I take a jar to shake everything together this helps the oil mix with everything well. Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Mirin & Pomegranate Molasses full of sharp notes with background sweetness from pomegranate. This dressing is lifted further by adding lemon zest to the grains and a little chopped coriander and mint.
This is another addition to my Sunshine Food Series that I continue to work on. Sunshine Food is simply food that just brings sunshine to my kitchen. Food that tastes fantastic in the sunshine with a cool refreshing drink. Looking for more sunshine food? Then take a look at these:
Spiced Chicken Skewers
Lamb Burgers with Cheats Mint Mayo
Paella Arancini
Sweet Summer Rolls
Black Bean Tacos
Let me know what you think of these Spiced Chicken Skewers in the comments below. If you have a go share your pictures with me, tag me on social media use the hashtag #CUBBintheKitchen to be featured in my stories.
Happy Eating!
Grain Salad
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 250 grams Grains (Barley, Rice & Spelt) I use Gallo (link in text or in instruction)
- 500 ml Stock
- 350 grams Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato
- 1 Red Pepper
- 1 tbsp Garlic Oil
- Pinch of Salt
- Zest of 1 Lemon
- 1 tsp Chopped Coriander
- 1 tsp Chopped Mint
For the Dressing
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tsp Mirin
- 1 tsp Pomegranate Molasses
Instructions
- Roast the VegPreheat the oven to 180°CPeel and cube the Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash into cube roughly 2.5 cm or 1 inch.Toss in the Garlic Oil with a sprinkle of Salt and roast in oven for 20 minutes.Cut the Red Pepper into small bite sized chunk and add to the roasting tin with Squash and Sweet Potato and roast for a further 20 minutes.
- Cook the GrainsIf using the Gallo Mix then place into a saucepan with 500ml of boiling Stock (water works also) Cook for 15 minutes.
- Dressing TimeTake a small jar and add all the dressing ingredients, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Mirin & Pomegranate Molasses give it a good shake.
- Bring TogetherOnce the Grains are cooked after 15 minutes rinse and drain with cold water then toss in the Lemon Zest and fork through. Add the dressing to the Grains fork through to cover.Next add the Roasted Veg and stir to distribute.Now add the chopped Mint & Coriander and stri then plate on your serving dish.Scatter pomegranate seeds over the top along with more fresh herbs if you wish.
