Wheat Berry & Bean Salad

Salad--
1 c cooked wheat berries (Bobs Red Mill is what I use--1 3/4 c water to a boil, add 1/2 c rinsed soft white wheat berries, 1/4 tsp salt, simmer covered for about an hour or until tender, drain and set aside to cool while other ingredients are prepared)

1 c of cooked white or navy beans (or canned rinsed and drained) OR favorite bean
1/2 c green onion--chopped
1/2 c celery--chopped
1/2 c tomato--seeded and diced

Mix salad ingredients together and set aside to prepare the vinaigrette.

Vinaigrette--
1/2 c olive oil
2 T fresh lemon or lime juice
2 T white or red wine vinegar
2 T fresh parsley or cilantro--chopped
1 tsp maple syrup or honey
1 T grainy mustard
2 T shallot--minced
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper

Place all dressing ingredients in a bullet, small mixer or bowl with a whisk.  My bullet is my friend in the kitchen especially for making a quick dressing.

Taste to adjust salt to desired taste....salt is the key to any complete dressing.

Add half of the dressing to the salad and mix well.  Check for desired wetness and add more if needed.  This salad needs at least 4 hours to chill for flavor blending.  Overnight is excellent.  Add more dressing, if needed after the salad chills for a few hours.  Serve chilled or at room temp...

(Use and remaining dressing on your favorite mixed greens another day!  Store in the refrigerator....)

shared by my dear friend, Liz S and on the back of the wheat berry bag (Bobs Red Mill) with a couple tweaks by char char