Gastronomic tours with Swiss Cheese

I've made this a few times using different styles and it's come out well on all occasions. The main ingredient of this salad is whole wheat grains and it's really healthy and tasty.

Ingredients

• 2 cups wheat berries (also known as whole wheat grains)
• 3 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Lemon juice to taste
• 1/4 cup dried + sweetened cranberries
• 1/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/4 cup mixed raisins
• 1/4 cup toasted and sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions

Preparation

1. Place wheat in water such that the water level is approximately 2 inches above the wheat. Soak for 8 hours. (You probably want to do this overnight)
2. Drain completely and then cover with water again to approximately 2 inches over the wheat. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to low.
3. Allow to simmer for 1 hour.
4. Drain completely.
5. Toss in oil
6. Add in vinegar
7. Add in cranberries, apricots, raisins and almonds and toss
8. Add salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste
9. Just before serving add in green onions.
10. Serve warm or at room temperature

Variations

We tried a few variations that came out nicely. First, you could use olive oil instead of sesame oil, but you might need more than 3 tablespoons. If using Olive Oil, Balsamic Vinegar tends to go better than Rice Wine Vinegar. You could use other kinds of nuts as well. We tried Pecans and Pine Nuts.

Once the wheat is cooked, preparation is quick. You can cook the wheat a day in advance and refrigerate, then heat it in the microwave or on the stove just before adding other ingredients.

Made this yesterday, and I do have pictures, but currently no way to get them off my camera, so that will have to wait for later.

Ingredients:

• 250gm (8oz) shrimp. shelled, deveined and cooked (steam or boil it)
• 1/4 cup coriander/cilantro leaves chopped up (note the difference)
• 1/2 cup chopped romaine lettuce leaves (use the hearts for a different variation)
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 3 Tbsp Maggi hot and sweet tomato chilli sauce (or equivalent - you need something sweet and spicy, so try mixing tabasco + tomato, or use thai sweet chilli sauce)
• 2-3 tsp honey (this is only if your sauce is too spicy for your liking)
• One navel orange (we use this for garnish and for its juice)
• A few mint leaves for garnish (optional)

Method:

1. Combine sauce, honey, shrimp, lime juice and coriander in a bowl and mix until shrimp and coriander are well coated. You should be able to smell the lime.
2. Add chopped lettuce on a large plate.
3. Add shrimp mix over lettuce.
4. Sprinkle a few drops of orange juice over the salad.
5. Garnish with orange rings and mint leaves.
6. Serve chilled.

It came out really well.