Best 3 Spelt Summer Salad Recipes

CURRIED SPELT SALAD

Steps:

• Place spelt and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium pot. Add water to cover by 1 1/2". Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until spelt is tender and water is mostly absorbed, about 1 hour (or 12-15 minutes if using semi-pearled farro). Drain; place in a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add curry, mustard seeds, cardamom, and coriander; cook, stirring often, until spices are fragrant and mustard seeds begin to pop, 2-3 minutes. Stir in carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until carrots are crisp-tender, 5-6 minutes.
• Add vinegar and stir until evaporated, 1-2 minutes. Stir in onion and lemon. Remove pan from heat and stir until onion is wilted, 1-2 minutes. Add vegetable mixture to bowl with spelt. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let cool. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
• Add chicken (if using), arugula, 2 cups cilantro, and olive oil to spelt mixture; toss to combine. Transfer salad to a large platter. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

SPICY CHICKEN AND SPELT SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, vinegar, peanut butter, cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic, and serrano in a small bowl; set aside.
• Toast spelt kernels in a dry skillet on medium-high heat until the kernels are browned and some have popped. Remove, place in a mesh strainer, and rinse well with cold water. Drain. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan; add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and stir in spelt kernels. Return to a boil then cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until tender, about 1 hour. Drain well and set aside to cool.
• While the spelt is simmering, fill a skillet with 1 quart water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and onion. Bring to a boil over high heat. Add chicken breasts, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove chicken from liquid and allow to cool.
• Once chicken is cool enough to handle, shred into bite-sized chunks and place in a large bowl. Stir in spelt, bell pepper, green onions, parsley, cilantro, carrots, and cabbage. Pour sauce over salad and stir well to combine.

SPELT SUMMER SALAD

Steps:

• Combine spelt with water in large pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until all of the water is absorbed and grain is tender (about 1 hour). Drain spelt, rinse with cold water, and refrigerate until use (at least 30 minutes to chill; overnight is fine, too).
• Whisk together balsamic vinegar and oil. Lightly toss together spelt, chopped red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives, adding oil-and-vinegar dressing last.
• Either serve immediately, sprinkled with feta cheese, or refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to mingle (adding feta cheese right before serving).