Cranberry, Arugula & Grains Salad

I love hearty salads such as this grain salad that I am sharing with you today. Not only are they delicious and filled with fiber, but they are very simple to make. When I lived in the UK, there was a really delicious one that I used to pick up at Marks & Spencers. I loved the food at M&S. I always said if I won the lottery I would only shop at M&S.
They had the most brilliant food court! All of their produce and meats were par excellence!
You may have paid a little bit more, but everything had a much longer shelf life than from the other shops. I would rather spend a little bit more and know that I wasn't going to have to throw things away because they went off before I could get them used.
Their ready made sandwiches were a hundred percent better than anyone else's. They were generously filled and the bread was always fresh tasting.
Likewise their salads. Exemplary. I loved their grain salad because it had a delicious dressing and was the perfect size for me to have for a lunch on two days running.
I also used to buy all of my undergarments and nightwear there as well. It literally lasted forever. Good quality. We also used to buy my estranged husband's shirts, trousers, socks, etc. there as well.
Quality merchandise that lasts. You can't beat it. I will really miss M&S.

This is actually a salad that my sister brought over to me the other day. I thought it was so delicious that I just had to share it with you. It was right up my alley.
Perfectly cooked grains mixed with bitter baby arugula, sharp spring onions, toasted pecan nuts, and the sweetness of dried cranberries.
The grain mix she used was one which contained wheat berries, barley and oats. It was a delicious blend. My sister is really into health foods, natural ingredients and whole grains.
She eschews anything with lots of sugar and preservatives. She hates anything really processed. I have to admit I am not fond of anything which is highly processed myself, although I do have a bit of a sweet tooth. (As you know!)
I do try to reign in in during the week and basically only bake treats at the weekend. During the week, I do try to eat much healthier, and this salad was right up my alley!
It was one of those salads that you can't stop picking at. Yes, I can be very naughty at times! Okay . . . most of the time. Meh . . .
Don't worry if you can't get that particular mix of grains. You can use whatever grain mix you enjoy, just so long as it amounts to the same quantity. What you want to end up with is approximately 1/2 cup cooked per person or serving.
So about 1 1/2 cups cooked grains. You can use wheat berries, wild rice, farrow, quinoa, oats, Ebly, brown rice, etc. Just pick your favorites and cook according to the package direction, in chicken stock, of course!
You could even add some cooked lentils or chickpeas for additional protein.
Baby arugula (or rocket as it is called in the UK) is one of my favorite salad leaves. It has a slightly bitter, peppery, almost meaty flavor that I really enjoy!
It works really well in salads such as this one. It holds up well and doesn't wilt easily like other salad leaves do when they come into contact with salad dressings. Arugula is a sturdy leaf!
I have been known to eat it by the handful and I can tell you up front, it is excellent in meat sandwiches! Bacon and tomato sandwiches, etc. Its just great in sandwiches!
The dried cranberries add a touch of sweet and some color as well. I love dried cranberries and cranberries are very good for you. I love to add them to things like this salad. Excellent!
If you don't like cranberries, dried cherries would work well also! I think a mix of raisins would also be very good.
Not only are the grains slightly nutty in taste and texture, but there is also a quantity of chopped pecan nuts in this salad. I adore pecans. They have a beautiful taste, almost caramel-like, especially if you toast them first.
And as I always say, toast your nuts! It doesn't take a lot of effort and the end result is a moreish nut that just tastes nuttier!

The dressing is a punchy, slightly sweet balsamic, maple and mustard dressing. That a beautiful trinity of delicious flavors! I thought it was quite wonderful.
A bit of a play on honey mustard, but it totally works. Sweet, spicy, a tiny bit of heat. Yummilicious!
This tasty salad is great in lunches on its own, but it also makes a fabulous side dish to serve with your grilled foods this summer! Chicken, pork, beef, lamb, fish. This salad spells "WINNER" next to any of these things. Enjoy!

Cranberry, Arugula & Grains Salad

Yield: 6Author: Marie RaynerPrep time: 5 MinCook time: 14 MinTotal time: 19 MinThis is a lovely salad to have in the refrigerator for lunches throughout the week. Hearty and delicious.

Ingredients

9 ounces (250g) wheat, barley & oat blend mix for cooking (You can use any type of grains that has a variety of grains that you cook together as a mix, approximately 1 1/2 cups)
1 1/2 cups (375ml) chicken or vegetable broth
2 TBS balsamic vinegr
2 TBS maple syrup
2 TBS olive oil
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp each salt and black pepper
1/2 cup (75g) dried cranberries
1/2 cup (60g) chopped toasted pecans (* see note)
2 spring onions, trimmed, washed and chopped
3 cups (150g) baby arugula (rocket)

To serve:

Crumbled feta cheese (optional)

Instructions

Bring your chicken broth to the boil in a medium saucepan. Add the grains blend, reduce the heat to low and stir.
Cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until all of the broth has been absorbed and everything is tender.
Spread out onto a small baking sheet so that it cools slightly.
Whisk the vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, mustard, salt and pepper together in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Add the cooked grains, arugula, cranberries, pecans and spring onions. Toss to combine completely.
Serve warm, or refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Serve with or without crumbled feta cheese sprinkled over top.

Notes:

To toast the pecans, preheat the oven to 350*F/180*C/ gas mark 4. Spread the nuts out onto a rimmed baking sheet. Toast in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Alternately you can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 5 to 7 minutes.

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