Food Storage Salads: Tabouli Salad

(sorry no photo, I swear I have taken a ton of photos of this salad but I can't find them on my camera)
Tabouli is traditionally made with Bulgur wheat.  Bulgur is made by soaking cooked whole wheat kernels (berries) which are then dried and part of the bran is removed. The remaining pieces are cracked into small pieces. Bulgur can be cooked and served as a grain or used in breads, soups, and even desserts. I usually have a small amount of Bulgur on hand because I like it.  I don't store it in my long term storage because I have not found anywhere that sells it packaged for long term storage.  I have found that you can substitute cracked wheat, brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, barley, or couscous.  I like to substitute 9 grain cracked cereal in place of the Bulgur wheat. It gives the salad a similar taste, texture and appearance.  If I have it I like to add in a little feta cheese.  If you prefer you can use your own bottled Italian salad dressing.

Today's salad, tabouli, has tomatoes and cucumbers in it. But both are in small amounts and are grown in most people’s gardens.  I have made this salad substituting canned petite diced tomatoes and it is a okay substitute not as good as fresh but okay in a pinch.  If you are going to use canned tomatoes, use high quality tomatoes, which have been rinsed and very well drained prior to adding them to the salad.  Recently parsley has been tasting bitter to me (I know I am crazy but what can you do?)  Consequently I have been using very little when I make this salad. 

Tabouli Salad

1 ½ c. water, heated to boiling
1 ¼ c. THRIVE 9 grain cereal (or cracked wheat or if you have it bulgur wheat)

2 T. olive oil
1 tomato, diced
½ cucumber, diced
1 c. parsley, rough chop or tear into small pieces
¼ c. red onion, diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ t. garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix together the boiling water and the 9 grain cereal and let sit 30 minutes.
Add the remaining ingredient and toss to mix. 

9 Grain Cracked Cereal and Oatmeal Rolls

We are trying to eat more whole grains and I love the 9 grain cereal for that reason.  So what grains are in it?

Hard red wheat, hard white wheat, barley, rye, oats, corn, millet, hulled buckwheat, and flax seed.

9  Grain Cracked Cereal and Oatmeal Rolls-these rolls have a slightly nutty taste. 

Printable Recipe

Ingredients:

3 cups boiling water

2/3 cup cracked wheat

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup butter

3 tsp salt

6 to 6-1/2 cups unbleached flour (part whole wheat may be used)

4 Tbs yeast

Directions:

In a large bowl, or the bowl of a stand or bread mixer (such as a KitchenAid or Bosch) - combine cracked wheat, oats, honey, butter, and salt.

Pour boiling water over the top of these ingredients, and pulse a few times. 

Let stand to cool to 120° to 130° - about 15 minutes (the right temperature for yeast to be added)

Add 2 cups flour and the undissolved yeast.

Pulse till combined. 

Add enough additional flour to form a soft dough that pulls away from the sides of the bowl.

Continue kneading/mixing for about 8 to 10 minutes.

Remove from bowl and lightly dust with flour.  Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

Divide dough into 24 pieces.  I use a kitchen scale to make sure my rolls are the same size. I make my rolls using 2 oz of dough.  Roll each portion of dough into a snake. The flatten slightly. Roll up and place in a greased muffin tin. 

Cover and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size - about 1 hour (depending on the season and the warmth of your kitchen)

Preheat oven to 375°.  Place in center of oven and bake for about 35 to 40 minutes. 

Check during the last 10 minutes of baking. Remove from oven and brush top with butter.

9 Grain Porriage in the Crock Pot

9 Grain Cracked Cereal is a great addition to any food storage plan. It is super healthy containing spring wheat, winter wheat, soft white wheat, corn grits, barley grits, steel-cut oats, cracked rye, millet, flaxseed. It makes up into a delicious and super easy cereal.   A crock pot is essential.  You put it in before you go to bed and magically it is ready in the morning.

Pam Cooking Spray
2 cups 9 Grain Cracked Cereal
5 cups water
Salt-a dash
Spray the crock pot with cooking spray. Add cereal, water, and salt. cook on low for 7-9 hours.
In the morning when cooked try adding one of these options.  
*each crock pot is different. This is what works in mine you may need to adjust the cooking time or amount of water to work with how hot your crock pot cooks.

Sweet Stir in Options: I let my family decide so I have given the directions for individual servings.

• Red Berry:  to each serving add 2 T each freeze dried strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, yogurt, and honey 
• Apple-Cinnamon: To each serving  add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, and 2T. chopped dried apples. 
• Cinnamon-Spice Oatmeal: To each serving add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, and a scant 1/8 t. nutmeg
•  Raisins and Brown Sugar: To each serving add 1 T. packed brown sugar and 1 T. raisin

Savory Stir in Options:  I don't really like sweet things in the morning so here are some of the savory to try

• Tomato and cheese (thanks for the idea Mom):  Add a handful of halved grape tomatoes and a tablespoon of Cream cheese. Salt and Pepper to taste
• Southwest:  Add shredded cheddar cheese, and a 1/4 cup tomato salsa
• Eggs and bacon:  Add a poached egg, and 2 T precooked crumbled bacon (or bacon TVP)