HARVEST GRAINS SALAD

  I usually don't tout a pre-packaged mixture, but Trader Joe's offers a bagged Harvest Grains that is great!  Use by itself or in this Salad....

Ingredients:

1 c. dried beans - any

2 c. Harvest Grains

1/2 onion - diced

1 cucumber - diced

1 tomato - diced

1 green or red pepper - diced

1 bunch Italian Parsley - diced

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Sea Salt and Pepper to taste

Red Wine and Rice Vinegar to Taste

1/2 cu. Lemon Juice

Read the backside of the Harvest grains package for cooking directions - this only takes a max of 10 minutes so you must first cook the dried beans.  Measure the liquid and use a mixture of vegetable broth and water ( or just water ).  Salt and Pepper the water.  Bring to boil and reduce to simmer.  Cook the beans until just tender - NOT MUSHY.  While still simmering, add the Harvest Grain mixture, cover and cook not more than 10 minutes - test at 8 minutes.  You want this firm not MUSHY.  Remove from heat and drain.  Wash with cool water. Drain.

In a large bowl, mix all the diced vegetables. Salt and pepper to taste.  Add oil and Lemon Juice.  Add very little Red Wine and Rice Vinegar.  Mix.  Add the grains and beans, mix.  Eat warm or refrigerate.