When Ben and I are on these weight loss and healthy eating streaks; I end up not eating meat very much meat.  It is not because I don’t want to.  We just do our own thing during these stints of dieting.  So when I am faced with cooking for myself I just want something quick and easy.  So I end up getting my protein eating a lot of beans, cheese, and eggs. Lately I have been trying to incorporate different grains into my diet.  I get tired of brown rice, plain oats, and whole wheat bread.  So the last time I went to the grocery store I picked up some wheat berries.  I really love the nutty flavor and chewy texture of wheat berries.  They are kind of a pain in the butt to prepare, but worth the effort.  Also, I like to cook up a couple of cups and just store them in the refrigerator.  During the week I will throw a half a cup of them into soup, or onto a salad, or even as an oatmeal substitute for breakfast.  The previous photos depict a quick dish I came up with the other night. The texture and flavor were great.  To turn it into a main dish, I think adding some poached or grilled salmon, would be perfect!

To prepare wheat berries:

Take one cup dry wheat berries, cover with cold water and soak overnight.  After soaking, rinse wheat berries with cold water, drain, and add to sauce pan. Cover the wheat berries with ~2 cups of cold water.  Simmer on medium heat for ~1 to 1 ½ hours (until desired consistency).  I cooked mine for 1 hour and 15 min.  If there is still standing water, drain off.  Use right away or store in fridge for up to one week.

Wheat Berry and Bean Salad

10 oz. baby spinach (1 bag) 50 cal.

cherry tomatoes halved (8 oz) 50 cal.

1/2 c. cooked wheat berries 300 cal.

1/2 of a 14 oz. can garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained) 210cal.

2 Tbsp. Bernstein’s Restaurant Recipe Italian Dressing, 120 cal.

1/4 c. shredded parm. 100 cal.

Total: 830 cal. (if you want to eat all of it!)

Begin by wilting spinach in a medium heat nonstick pan. Add garbanzo beans and wheat berries and heat through.  Add half of the dressing to prevent sticking. When spinach is completely wilted, and wheat berries and beans are nice and hot, add halved cherry tomatoes and remaining dressing.  Stir and cook just to heat through.  Remove from heat and plate.  Top with Parmesan, if desired. Super Easy! Now Eat.