Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Millet Summer Salad

millet salad bowls

I don't know about you but keeping up with my daily routine since the school year started has been quite the challenge. I manage to do everything and more but long for the lazy days of Summer which we have left behind. The days of art, gardening experiments, hikes and picnics are crawling off the screen and being replaced by duty and structure.

In other news, I accidently deleted my entire "Delicious Blog" section on this site. Ooops! I have no idea how or why... As I went to my link airport to visit my favorite foodie sites, they were all gone. I have tried to re-establish it but it might take me a while.

In the meantime, I am hanging on to what's left of summer with some easy salad lunches. No wheat means no bulgur, no couscous... So sad, for someone use to making an array of wonderful summer salads with wheat as the grain. Surprisingly, it hasn't been a problem. On the contrary, it has allowed me to expend my pantry and my family's nutritional intake. All Summer, my salads have featured quinoa, brown rice, and finally millet. Millet is a great replacement for couscous or bulgur. It looks like couscous but cooks like brown rice, with a 1 to 2 millet to water ratio. Then, the rest is up to you and the produce you have on hand.

Millet was a staple of ancient Asian societies. It's as good a source of protein as wheat is and very rich in B vitamins as well. If that is not enough to convince you to try it, you should know that it tastes great.

Millet Summer Salad (serves 8)
Don't be intimidated by how big a batch this recipe makes, the leftovers are great for lunches and will stay good refrigerated for two days after you make it.
To cook the millet: Saute for 1 minute 2 cups of millet in a medium sized pot coated with olive oil (1 tsp). Add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 35 minutes or until liquid is absorbed by grain.

salad bowl with knife

1 cup diced persian or english cucumber (small seedless)
1 cup diced colorful bell peppers
1 cup diced sweet tomatoes
4 cups cooked millet or other cooked grain, cooled
1 cup finely finely chopped parsley
3 tablespoons finely chopped mint
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1 clove garlic minced
1 teaspoon sea salt

millet salad up close

Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Another salad to make your Summer last a little longer:
Kohlrabi Broccoli Salad

5 comments:

Mary Ann said...

Oh my gosh! I am totally laughing! We must have the same brain. We had millet pilaf last night and I was just wondering what to do with the rest of the millet. This looks absolutely wonderful! I will have to try in next week.

Dewi said...

This what I call a "heart loving salad" it is very healthy and delicious!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Ah yes, I'm even MORE on-the-go than I am during the summer!! No R&R time. Hang in there!!

FABULOUS salad.

Katie said...

How tasty! I love summer salads like this. I haven't had very much millet in my life, but the last time I did, I remember I enjoyed it very much.

Alexa said...

Mary Ann,
That's funny. I should just email my menus from now on. (lol)

Elra,
Isn't it great when you can feel good about eating something that also tastes wonderful?

Veggiegirl,
Thanks for your words of encouragement.:-)

Katie,
I think this grain is off the radar in our culture. What a shame because it's so good.

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