Cereal salads are very versatile, light and fresh, perfect to take with you to the office for lunch or picnic.
Cereals to mix
Undecided which cereals to use, we suggest you create a rich mix of cereals. Spelt, rice, quinoa, barley have more or less all the same cooking time and create a nice contrast of flavors and textures. Barley for example is softer, spelt is crisper, rice is more floury and wheat is meatier. Let's not even forget oats, which are very nutritious and rich in fiber, also quinoa, which isn’t a real cereal but lends itself very well to salad dishes. Since it is a particularly delicate product, we recommend cooking it separately because it absorbs a lot of water and should be checked during cooking so that the grains remain separate and don’t turn into a soup.
Aromatic bouquet
Cereal salads, like cold pasta salads need to be colorful and fragrant for that extra burst of flavor. That's why we suggest you play around with aromatic herbs that not only give a lot of flavor but allow you to use less seasoning for a lighter dish. A perfect mix, very fresh and summery includes mint, basil, parsley and fresh oregano and marjoram. You can also add some grated lemon peel and chopped sundried tomatoes for a little more taste. Ideally you want to finely chop the washed and dried leaves with a knife, avoiding the blender which would oxidize them and deprive them of their bright green color. You can add them to the salad like this or let them marinate for a while in extra virgin olive oil to flavor it.
Imaginative flavors
Don't limit yourself to the classic diced tomatoes and mozzarella with tuna and sweetcorn but unleash all your creativity to serve original salads to the table. Grilled vegetables goes really well with primosale cheese, feta and salted ricotta. Smoked salmon goes perfectly with avocado, rocket and cherry tomatoes. Chicken cut into strips and maybe breaded, crunchy, and baked in the oven can become an exciting protein part. Also play with fruit at this time of year, such as peaches and apricots cooked on the grill, also melon cubes go well with goat cheese and other fresh herbal cheeses.
Cereal salad with herbs Recipe
First wash the cereals properly and then cook them in boiling salted water for about 15 minutes, or for the time indicated on the package. Drain and cool them immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. Chop a mixture of fresh herbs with a knife and mix them with a cup of oil and lemon juice. Season the cereal and then add other ingredients. This salad should be served cold. It can be prepared in advance and remains delicious for up to three days in the fridge.
Read more tips on preparing cereal salads in our tutorial gallery!