Signs of Spring/Test Kitchen -- Day 2

you pick...

I think I like the idea of blogging in a series.  So here is my sign of spring for today... 

When you feel like eating salad.

I keep saying that I need to learn how to make more salads.  I'm not sure why, but they don't come naturally to me.  Every time I've eaten at the Whole Foods food bar I've looked for this salad, it has wheat berries and curry and some other things and I'm always happy when I find it! (It sounds like I eat there a lot, I don't).    Anyway, last time I went I decided to memorize the ingredients and try it at home.  Well, I'm not sure that it's exactly it, but this is what I came up with and I'm happy with the result.

So, for my second Test Kitchen post:  Curried Wheat Berry Salad

Ingredients:

1 c hard wheat berries

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 bunch spring onions, chopped

1 handful parsley, chopped

3/4 c sliced almonds

1 oz raisons

Dressing (to give credit where credit is due, this is adapted from Juan's dressing recipe, that I love):

3 T olive oil

1 T cider vinegar

1 T honey

2 t dijon mustard (I prefer Gulden's)

1 juicy lemon

1/4 t curry powder (heaping)

dash of cinnamon

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. boil the wheat as you would pasta.  When it is chewy, not mushy, drain it and let it cool in the fridge (or freezer if you're in a hurry).

2. Make your dressing.

3. Combine the rest of the ingredients with the wheat and dressing.

4. Serve.

I suspect that it may taste better the next day, I'll find out tomorrow.  

Make it and let me know what you think!  Any good variations? 

PS I know the ingredients are out of season, but I couldn't wait until summer to eat this.