Fruited Wheat Berry Salad and Easy Sweet Garlic Chicken

Easy Sweet Garlic Chicken is just that.  With only 4 ingredients, you can have this dish ready and on the table in less than 30 minutes (20 of which are in the oven).  The flavors are addicting for seconds, thirds, fourths…

When you read a new recipe and come across an ingredient that you are not familiar, what do you do?  Do you toss the recipe aside, read the recipe and omit that ingredient, or do you search for it in your local grocery store and give it a try?  Fruited Wheat Berry Salad has two ingredients that may not be familiar to you - wheat berries and Goji berries. But I want you to keep reading and try this recipe - it is so delicious.

Wheat berries are not a berry.  They are a true whole grain.  Wheat berries are whole wheat kernels which includes the bran, germ, and endosperm.  Since the wheat kernel is left intact, virtually none of the nutrients are stripped away.  A cup of cooked wheat berries has about 300 calories and is packed with fiber, protein, and iron.  Cooked wheat berries have a chewy bite and subtle nutty flavor.

Goji berries are a berry.  They are grown on an evergreen shrub found in China, Mongolia and in the Himalayas in Tibet.  In the United States, Goji berries are usually found dried.  Goji berries have a mild tangy taste that is slightly sweet and sour. They have a similar shape and chewy texture as raisins. 

Goji berries, rich in antioxidants, have been used for 6,000 years by herbalists in China, Tibet and India to: protect the liver, help eyesight, improve sexual function and fertility, strengthen the legs, boost immune function, improve circulation, and promote longevity.            

Fruited Wheat Berry Salad

Serves 6

3 cups water

1 cup uncooked wheat berries

1/2 cup diced onion (can use frozen chopped onion)

1/4 cup apple juice

2 tablespoons canola oil

3 tablespoons raspberry vinegar

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup dried Goji berries (or dried cherries)

1/2 cup crumbled Feta cheese

1/3 cup slivered almonds

1/4 cup dried currants

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Combine water and wheat berries in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour. Drain and rinse with cold water.

Combine onions and next 6 ingredients (onions through salt) in a large bowl. Let stand 30 minutes.

Add wheat berries, cranberries, and remaining ingredients to vinaigrette, and toss to combine. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight.

Easy Sweet Garlic Chicken

Serves 4

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 garlic cloves, minced

4 tablespoons brown sugar

3 teaspoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.  Line a casserole dish with aluminum foil.  Lightly coat with cooking spray.   

In small sauté pan, sauté garlic with the oil until tender.  Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar.

Place chicken breasts in a prepared baking dish and cover with the garlic and brown sugar mixture.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.