Emerald Spring Spelt Salad

You have likely heard the adage that the only certainties in life are death and taxes. I have one more to add.

My husband will never request spelt for dinner.

Ironically, he likes spelt for dinner. He is a health-conscious eater, avid exerciser, and (reasonably) good sport abut trying my many recipe concoctions. He uses 100% whole wheat flour in his banana bread, eats oatmeal year-round, and is (sort-of) ok about multi-grain tortillas . He knows that spelt has a great nutty flavor and meaty texture, is loaded with fiber, has 11 grams of protein per cooked cup, and is packed with nutrients galore (think calcium, manganese, zinc, iron, vitamin E and B-complex vitamins).

But suggesting or requesting spelt (or any other whole grains) for dinner? Not. Going. To. Happen.

Lucky for him, he married me. Whole grain-loving me. And I have  a trick strategy to make sure it’s spelt for dinner when the time is right: (a) commence spelt preparation  in his absence; (b) contain and conceal the spelt before his return; (c) misdirect any and all dinner inquiries until dinnertime is imminent: and (d) present the spelt.

I have complete steps (a) and (b) thus far with my emerald green, spring spelt salad. I know he’s going to love it, in spite of himself.

Mum’s the word until dinner!

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day, everyone!

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Spring Spelt Salad

Yield: 8

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

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Ingredients

• 2 cups spelt
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 4 tbsp olive oil, divided use
• 3/4 tsp ground cardamom
• 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 3/4 lb asparagus, trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 2 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1-1/4 cups frozen, shelled edamame, thawed
• 3 (packed) cups kale leaves, roughly chopped
• Juice and grated zest of 2 medium lemons
• 2 cups (packed) flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Instructions

1. Place spelt and salt in a medium pot. Add water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until spelt is tender and water is mostly absorbed, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add cardamom and coriander, cook and stir 20 seconds Add asparagus and broccoli; season with salt and pepper. Cook and stir for 3 to 4 minutes until asparagus is crisp-tender.
3. Add vinegar and stir until evaporated, 1–2 minutes. Stir in edamame and kale, Remove pan from heat and stir until kale is wilted, 1–2 minutes. Add vegetable mixture to bowl with spelt. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let cool.
4. Once salad is cooled, mix in lemon juice and zest, parsley and remaining olive oil.

Notes

(1) The salad will keep, refrigerated in a covered container, for up to 3 days.

(2) Additional Nutrition Notes:

Low in saturated fat
No cholesterol
Low in sugar
High in dietary fiber
Very high in vitamin A
Very high in vitamin C

Nutrition Information

Serving Size 1/8 of salad
Amount Per Serving Calories 263Total Fat 9.8gSaturated Fat 1.2gCholesterol 0mgSodium 323mgCarbohydrates 34.6gFiber 7.6gSugar 2.3gProtein 10g

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