A student shared the inspiration for this recipe with me, and, once I tasted it, I was hooked. I ate it for lunch nearly every day for weeks.

This salad makes a perfect lunch, and this is why:

• It tastes great with the sweet and tangy homemade salad dressing.
• The fiber, protein, and fat will fill you up and keep you full.
• It is easy to pack into smaller containers for lunches on the go.
• You get fruit, vegetables, protein, and whole grains in one bowl.
• It simplifies lunch planning for the week because it makes a lot and it stores well in the refrigerator. So you and your family can eat it for three or four days.

Zesty Whole Grain Salad
Serving Size: 6  |  Serves: 1 1/2 cups  |  Cost Per Serving: $1.43
Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked whole grain (brown rice, kamut™, quinoa)
• 2 tablespoons oil (canola or vegetable)
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 apples, chopped
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts)
• 1/2 cup dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, raisins)
• 1 bunch kale or 10-ounce package spinach (about 6 cups), torn into bite-sized pieces

Instructions:

1. Cook whole grain according to package directions. Cool.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir apples, nuts, dried fruit, and whole grain into dressing.
4. Toss greens with other ingredients.

Tips:

• Substitute 2 cups of chopped fruit (strawberries, grapes, oranges) for the apples.
• Do not give honey and nuts to infants under one year of age.

Enjoy!