Cinnamon-Soaked Wheat Berry Salad

I found this recipe in my November Vegetarian Times. If you love chewy, you will love this recipe. The first time I made it I did not cook the wheat brries. or the carrots. I  made it  again today as I have been invited tommorrow evening to my son's family for supper and planned on taking it along. I loved it uncooked, but thought it may be to chewy for the grandkids so I did cook the wheat brries about 1/2 hour, but did not cook the carrots. I think you will really enjoy this recipe. I found it to be really yummy!!!!!

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 1 cup wheat berries
• 1 /2 inch cinnamon stick
• 1/4 tsp.sea salt-I did not use
• 3 medium carrots, peeled and diced in 1/4" pieces-I did not peel the carrots as they came out of my garden-(no pesticides) and I chopped them in my food processor. Of course I scrubbed them clean.
• 1 heaping cup dried apricots-diced-I used my food processor.
• 1/2 cup toasted slivred almonds
• 6 Tbs. fresh cilantro-chopped-I used more, as I love cilantro.

Dressing:

• 3 Tbs.apple cider vinegar
• 3 Tbs.olive oil-I used 1 Tabelspoon oil and 2 Tabelspoons water
• 1 Tbs.lemon juice
• 1 heaping tsp.Dijon mutard
• 1 tsp. pure maple syrup-I ued 2 teaspoons.
• 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Soak wheat berries in 3 cups of water with the cinnamon stick, for 8 hours or overnight.
2. Bring wheat berries with cinnamon stick, and soaking water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer 1 hour, covered. -The first time I made this recipe I did not cook the wheat berries. The second time I cooked them for 1/2 hour.-They where more chewy the first time, which I liked.
3. Drain off remaining liquid, remove cinnamon stick and set aside to cool.
4. Cook carrots for 2 minutes, plunge in ice water to stop cooking. Drain.-I did not cook the carrots.
5. Toss carrots with wheat berries, apricots, almonds and cilantro.
6. Blend dressing ingredients in blender until creamy. I use a fork and stirred until creamy.
7. Season with pepper if desired.
8. Refrigrate at least 1 hour to allow flavors to marry.
9. Remove from frig. 30 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!!!!