Grain salad recipes, simple and filling healthy food

I love grain salad recipes. They make good snacks or light meals. You get the benefits of whole grains, green vegies and herbs, and your dressing can include extra virgin olive oil or flax oil, both known for their healing benefits.

Plus you can add in gourmet treats, such as black olives, marinated artichokes or feta cheese if you like. There are many possibilities for salads!

This is a great way to use up leftover cooked grains and grain pilafs.

So here's some grain salad recipes for you to play with:

Millet and herb salad

2-3 cups leftover millet. It sticks together, so break up clumps with your hands or a fork.

1 1/2 cups fresh basil, lightly chopped or torn

1 clove garlic

1/4 tsp sea salt

1 Tbsp olive oil

pinch cayenne pepper or black pepper to taste

2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/2 big cucumber or 1 small cucumber, Cut lengthwise then dice

1-2 ripe tomato, diced

6 sliced black olives

optional: 1/2 to 1 cup cooked white beans

Mix together in a serving bowl: millet, basil, garlic, cucumber, tomato and black olives. Add in olive oil, sea salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Mix with grains and vegies.

Variations: you can substitute parsley, mint or dill for the basil.

Nori Grain salad

2 cups cooked grain: rice, millet or quinoa

1 toasted sheet of nori, crumbled

1/4 cup green onions, sliced

1 handful cilantro, sliced

1 Tbsp sesame oil

1 Tbsp lemon or vinegar

1 tsp ginger, grated on a microplane

1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds

Mix together in a bowl the grain, nori, green onions, cilantro, and toasted sesame seeds. Then add in sesame oil, lemon or vinegar, and ginger. Mix and it's done!

I highly recommend a microplane for zesting citrus, ginger, garlic and spices. You can add more zest to your dishes!

Here's one from Amazon.

Microplane 40020 Classic Zester/Grater

I hope you enjoy these grain salad recipes and create your own. The best grains to use are rice, quinoa, millet, bulgur, cracked wheat, and wild rice. Then add in bits size crunchy vegies, and a nice dressing.

Return from grain salad recipes to home page