hey there!
I’m back as your one-stop summer salad source and this time, I bring you my favorite creation so far: a hearty salad filled with dense chewy grains, smoked mozzarella cubes, grape tomatoes and raw sweet corn.
You’re gonna love it.
First, lets talk grains.
Did you know that quinoa is actually a seed, not a grain? Weird, huh? I like to cook with quinoa a lot because I love it’s chewy texture and the fact that it’s chock full of protein (have you tried this salad yet? if not, you really should).
Wheat berries are fun, too! Now, they actually are grains…not berries! Shocker. The only downside to wheat berries is the fact that you have to soak them in water overnight before you can use them. I always forget that part. They’re superrrrrrrr chewy, which makes them a fun addition to salads.
And yes, my obsession with raw corn is still kickin’. If you didn’t try it last time, don’t miss out this time around. Eating raw corn isn’t as weird as it sounds…in fact, it’s my favorite way to eat it! The kernels are incredibly sweet right now and the sweet crunch pairs so nicely with the chewy grains.
And smoked mozzarella? Awesome. Look for it at Trader Joe’s, Fresh Market or in the specialty cheese section of most large supermarkets. It’s sorta ridiculous and totally “makes” this salad.
Happy August! What were you doing a year ago today?
Wheat Berry Salad with Corn and Smoked Mozzarella
serves 6
Ingredients:
1/2 cup quinoa
1/2 cup wheat berries
2 ears corn, shucked
1/4th of a red onion, minced
2 cups sliced grape tomatoes
1/4 tsp salt
4 oz smoked mozzarella, cubed
2 T extra virgin olive oil
2 T balsamic vinegar
Directions:
Soak the wheat berries in cold water overnight. In the morning, drain, replace with fresh water and simmer for 20 minutes, until tender. Drain and set aside.
Simmer the quinoa in 1.5 cups water for 15 minutes until all the water has been absorbed. Fluff and add to the cooked wheat berries in a large bowl.
Add the corn kernels, red onion, mozzarella cubes and grape tomatoes to the grain mixture and toss well. Then drizzle in the olive oil, vinegar and salt. Mix well.
**salad will keep refrigerated for up to 5 days
Time:
30 minutes (not including time to soak wheat berries overnight)
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
hmmm…never tried wheat berries – i will have to keep my eye out! happy monday xoxo
I’m allergic to wheat, so I doubt I can have wheat berries
Quinoa it is!
HOW have I not tried wheatberries before?! You may have just changed that…
This looks incredible! I’m so glad you featured wheatberries. They’re such an under-appreciated ingredient. My local Whole Foods stocks a Greek-inspired wheatberry salad in the salad bar: wheatberries with diced tomato, red onion, herbs, and feta, dressed in olive oil, salt, and pepper. I’ve eaten it for lunch probably 8 out of the last 10 days.
Wow! great idea mixing quinoa and wheat berries together. I need to try me some wheat berries…and this salad…STAT
I haven’t ventured out in the wheatberry world yet! This may push me to plan a trip!
This looks so good it’s unfair, haha. Wheatberries are such fun, I love how chewy/tender they are.
i absolutely adore wheatberry salads…the chew is SO wonderful and it soaks up all of the flavor! i’ve never actually soaked mine overnight though and it still turns out fabulous
I have yet to try Wheat Berries, but I think I’d like them! This sounds like a delicious summer recipe!
Looks super delicious, I bet the different kinds of grains would add some great texture differences! YUM!
I never soak the wheatberries either
just cook them a little longer. Who can remember that the night before?!
I love smoked mozzarella, it reminds me of being a kid growing up at the holidays we’d always have it, along with all the other Italian treats and specialities.
I went through a phase where I was constantly cooking with wheat berries. There were always some cooked ones sitting in my freezer and uncooked ones abounding in my pantry.
That was a couple YEARS ago. I don’t think I’ve cooked with it since. Sad, but true. Thanks for this recipe! I’m adding it to my grocery list.
Oooh, I bought wheatberries because I wanted to try them, but hadn’t found a good recipe yet, so they’ve just been sitting in the pantry. I might have to try this recipe!
I love the fact that you can click on “a year ago” and see exactly where you were at last year! You have grown in every way
Love ~
You had me at raw corn and wheat berries. This looks incredible.
I love quinoa. Can’t get enough. We actually have to buy it in bulk from Costco because my fiancee and I eat it so often. I will definitely be trying this salad!
I didn’t know you could eat corn raw. This salad looks great!
Delicious! I love that idea. We have TONS of sweet corn in Minnesota this time of year.
I made up a yummy little side dish last night: fresh green beans (boiled for 3 minutes), fresh carrots (boiled for a few minutes, too), and pesto. But I made the pesto with pistachios instead of pine nuts! IT IS SO GOOD! I just mixed up those 3 ingredients.
I brought some wheat berries home from a trip to San Francisco this spring…..and have sadly left them sitting there, only making one thing with them. This looks fantastic, and the fact that I have corn from the farmers market in the fridge and cherry tomatoes ripening outside right now makes me think this recipe is in the cards this week
I never soak wheat berries either, just cook them a bit longer – I don’t know if there is a difference in texture, but since they’re supposed to be chewy I thought they turned out fine!
I am sold with a capital S on this one. I LOVE smoked mozzarella and paired with tomatoes and fresh corn…what? This sounds delectable!
I still need to jump on this raw corn bandwagon you rave about. Oh and this smoked mozzarella thing too… never tried it but it just sounds so delicious. This salad screams summer in every sense of the word, yum!
Oh. My. Goodness! I had NO idea that Quinoa was a seed?!?!? Hmmm, I wonder if it is a closet paleo-friendly food. I must do some investigating!
I think tomatoes are the most gorgeous fruit/veggie in the summer! That bright red color is simply captivating!
Jenna, where did you get that bowl? I love its simplicity?!
This salad DOES look ridiculous…ridiculously good!!!
It’s a holiday Monday for us here in Canada so last there this time…hmm probably sleeping in?!
Ditto. Slept in all weekend. Oh well.
As for the recipe – thanks for adding in the cooking/prep. time. Do you estimate based on how long it actually takes you? Or the average person? And I assume the wheat could be subbed out for another grain?
This salad looks amazing! And a year ago from today I was gearing up to start a new job!
LOVE raw corn! I can’t believe how sweet it is. Way better raw than cooked!!
We are going to TJ’s later this week, thanks for the smoked mozzarella recommendation.
That is such a beautiful salad! I have never tried wheat berries, but it’s definitely on my list. Thanks for another great recipe!
This looks so healthy and delicious! I love adding raw onion to recipes to give it a little zing. It’s so great to use in healthy dishes, as is garlic!
Jenna – FYI, it’s not necessary to soak wheatberries…I cook them regularly and never soak mine. The texture is plenty soft/chewy without the soak. Just rinse well, bring to a boil and then simmer til water absorbed, just like any other grain.
Looks great!! A year ago today, I was getting ready to start my new job in Ohio. And now in one week, I’ll be returning to that job (I get summers off … the perks of working for a school system!).
This looks beautiful Jenna! I love the dense, chewy, nuttiness of wheatberries and I bet they’re great paired with the lighter quinoa. Bookmarked!
Great summer salad!
This salad is a beauty. Nice recipe!
This looks delicious. I love wheat berry and I make a salad that is corn, tomato and mozzarella, so why not put them together?! Sounds delectable.
I LOVE how chewy wheat berries are! This looks like a winner winner salad dinner
This salad seems brilliant! Do you think the balsamic vinegar is essential? (I dislike it with my tomatoes.)
Yummy!
I was searching for an apartment on napa one year ago!
It is stifling hot here in Orlando, and I’m craving salads big time. This one looks great. My husband and I made a lentil salad last night (that I’ll be posting on my blog tomorrow) that totally hit the spot. Thanks for all the yummy ideas, as always!
Hey I just wanted to let you know about a little technology error I’ve been getting. When I try to view your site from my work computer (which, honestly, is where I usually am when I’m looking for recipes and making my grocery list), your site is displayed without any design elements. It just looks like a basic HTML site. I’m stuck with IE 8 and they won’t let me upgrade. It does work fine at home (Safari browser) though. I used to go to your site everyday, but because I can’t see it correctly at work, it’s been forever since I’ve been here.
Yum!!! I just tried tabouleh salad for the first time the other day and I loved it; this looks similar so I’m definitely giving it a shot!
Have a nice week (and month!),
xoxo
Lola
Mmm…that looks so good! Raw corn is incredible…definitely my favourite way to eat it too…crunchy, crisp and creamy
xyx
Raw corn is so good during the summer! I am a fan of wheatberries too so I’ll have to try this one as soon as possible.
This looks great! I haven’t tried wheatberries yet, but I’ve been keeping my eye out for a good recipe for them!
I totally just made some wheat berries last night for my lunch this week. However, I made it more like your quinoa black bean citrus salad, but now I want this one!
I will definitely have to save this one for a future wheat berry endeavor. Thanks for the recipe!
I’ve never tried wheat berries! I always pass them in the store and think about buying them, but never know what to use them in. Next time I’ll pick some up! This would be the perfect salad for a picnic if this NorCal weather wasn’t so terrible lately
Hey, I’ve started putting my grains in ball jars, too!
I’ve never eaten wheat berries before, but I’ve always wanted to try em!
It looks great, Jenna! I love!! tomatoes and those tomatoes are just calling my name!
The first pic is stunning…so vibrant and crisp and clear!
Okay. totally making this tonight…oh my gosh.
I think I should go to the store now! haha amazing! thanks for this!
I’ve never tried wheatberries before but this looks amazing!
There is so much goodness here! Yum smoked mozzarella! Yes please!
You can never go wrong with any type of smoked cheese. I especially love smoked gouda! This salad sounds delightfully refreshing. I’ve never had wheatberries –I may have to add them to next week’s grocery list!
I’ve never tried wheatberries because their 1 hour cooking time totally turns me off – I didn’t know you have to soak them overnight too! What a pain in the butt.
But this salad looks amazing, so I think I’ll have to try it!
Mmmm smoked mozzarella…
That picture rules.
This looks amazing! I love love love wheatberries. I agree with some of the other posters, I’ve never soaked mine, and I’ve not had a problem with them at all. Thanks for the recipe.
YUM! what an awesome and healthy flavor combo! this looks wonderful.
Great pictures. The raw sweat corn is a good idea, however the problem is knowing if the corn is sweet or not. Have not figured out how to do it just by looking.
I made this salad for a BBQ we hosted over the weekend. It was a totally hit. Love it as left over too. Thanks!
I have been wanting to try to make wheatberries! Where do you buy yours at? This looks delicious, I will have to try the raw corn
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