Wheat Berry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

This salad is a little out of the ordinary, but it's full of flavor and really satisfies that chew factor. Look for cooked wheat berries in the freezer section of your grocery store.  If you can't find them, I've included cooking instructions for dry wheat berries below.

Wheat Berry Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

makes 6 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

Salad:

• 1 1/2 - 2 cups cooked wheat berries

• 3/4 chopped walnuts

• 2-3 stalks celery, finely chopped

• 1/2 cup tart dried cherries, chopped

• 2 scallions, chopped (white and green parts)

• 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

• 1 1/2 teaspoon prepared spicy brown mustard (or Dijon)

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

1. Prepare dressing by whisking together oil, balsamic, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper; pour over remaining ingredients.  

2. Toss and serve.

Note

• To cook wheat berries, boil them in water or chicken stock for 50-60 minutes until they are tender and chewy.

Carrot Cake Cheesecake

When my oldest was a little guy, he would request carrot cake for his birthday, but once he discovered cheesecake, that was the end of that.  So when he told me recently that he kind of missed carrot cake and was having a hard time deciding which to choose for this year's birthday celebration, I decided to surprise him with both.  This cake is a totally awesome hybrid - moist carrot cake swirled together with a creamy cheesecake layer, then topped with a smooth and flavorful cream cheese topping - Wowzers!  It was so good one of my daughters has already claimed it for her next birthday celebration.  Plan to make this cheesecake at least 6 hours before you want to serve it.

The BeaterBlade is the best attachment to use for making cheesecake (and about a million other things).

Items used in the making of this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• Pro stand mixer https://amzn.to/3bd2NhP

• silicone beaterblade attachment https://amzn.to/2zjh3bH (order based on your mixer model)

• leak-proof cheesecake pan https://amzn.to/3fvGojb

• half sheet pan https://amzn.to/2xMgarG

• baker’s joy https://amzn.to/3cj7NCX

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3bgz9s7

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Carrot Cake Cheesecake

makes 12 servings

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

Cheesecake batter:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon all purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)

• 1/2 cup sour cream

Carrot cake batter:

• 3/4 cup vegetable or canola oil

• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (or 1/8 teaspoon fresh)

• pinch of ground cloves

• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt

• 1 cup finely grated carrots

Cream cheese topping (double if using a 10-inch springform pan):

• 3 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, sifted

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 tablespoon sour cream

Directions

Before you begin:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.

2. Lightly grease a 9 or 10-inch springform pan with baking spray and place on a half sheet pan. Note: my photo shows how tall the cheesecake will be if you use a 9-inch springform pan.

To make the cheesecake batter:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or better, a BeaterBlade), beat the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and flour on medium-low speed until smooth.

2. Add the vanilla and sour cream; mix just until combined. Set aside.

To make the carrot cake batter:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the oil and both sugars.

2. Add the eggs and vanilla; beat until well combined.

3. Add the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt just until combined.

4. Stir in the carrots.

To assemble the cake:

1. Spread half of the carrot cake batter into the bottom of the prepared pan.

2. Dollop half of the cheesecake batter on top in large spoonfuls. Don't spread or swirl together, just dollop.

3. Next dollop the rest of the carrot cake batter on and around the cheesecake batter dollops. Again, don't spread or swirl.

4. Spread the last half of the cheesecake batter on top and use an offset spatula so smooth it into an even layer. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to dislodge air bubbles.

5. Bake in the lower half of a preheated oven for 60-70 minutes. The center of the cheesecake should jiggle a bit when the pan is shaken (if you want to be very precise, the temp in the center of the cheesecake batter should reach 150F on a digital thermometer).

6. Cool completely on a cooling rack while preparing the frosting.

To make the topping:

1. Cream together the cream cheese and butter until smooth.

2. Mix in the sifted confectioner's sugar until smooth.

3. Add the vanilla and sour cream; mix well.

4. Spread evenly onto the completely cooled cheesecake and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.

Note

• :Cheesecake can be made up to 2 days in advance, but be sure to store in an airtight container because dairy products readily absorb odors/flavors from the fridge.

recipe adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe