Sunday, July 15, 2012

Something to do with all that mint growing in the garden.

I've been harvesting mint from the garden!  We have so much, and so I'm trying to dry it with our dehydrator so I can make this mint salad later this winter.  Or... mint tea!  mmm...





LornaSass Wheat Berry Salad with Apples and Mint


Ingredients
1/2 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
3/4 cup tightly packed mint leaves
2 cups cooked Basic Wheat Berries
2 teaspoons grated orange zest (from 2 juice oranges)
1 small green apple
1 small red apple
1/2 cup hazelnuts, toasted and coarsely chopped

Instructions
First prepare the dressing: Blend the orange juice, oil, vinegar, salt, and 1/2 cup of the mint in a food processor or blender.
Set the wheat berries in a medium bowl. Pour the dressing over them and toss to coat. Stir in the orange zest. Set aside for at least 15 minutes. Toss occasionally.
Meanwhile, core the apples and cut them into 1/4-inch dice. Stack the remaining mint leaves and roll them into a log. Slice them as thinly as you can. Toss them into the salad along with the apple, and hazelnuts. Add more salt, if needed.


Variations
After blending the dressing, stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger.


PS.  After being skipped by many monoons this week, we finally got some rain!  It was wonderful!