It seems we are always looking for a festive salad to serve during the holidays, and it’s fun when we are the first in our neighborhood to introduce a new one. This Barley, Cranberry, & Apple Salad displays the colors of Christmas, and has crunchy apples, tart cranberries, toasted walnuts, blue cheese, bacon, and chewy barley, all mixed with a cranberry or raspberry vinaigrette. Not only is it attractive, but it is good. It has just the right amounts of sweet and savory.

If you happen to be busy, and who isn’t, you may want to cook the barley in the slow cooker. That way it doesn’t have to be watched. Simply rinse the barley in a strainer, place it in a 2-3 quart slow cooker, add 1 teaspoon salt, and cover with 3 cups water. Cover the slow cooker, set it to high, and let it cook 3-4 hours or until the water is absorbed.

12 Servings

1 cup pearl barley, cooked according to package directions which will yield about 4 cups

2 cups fresh cranberries, rinsed, drained, and coarsely chopped
6 tablespoons sugar

1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and cut into small chunks
1/2 cup toasted walnuts
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
1/2 cup crisp crumbled bacon

Dressing:
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup cranberry vinegar, or raspberry vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Let the barley cool and transfer it to a serving bowl.
2. Mix the cranberries and sugar; let sit while you assemble the remaining ingredients and make the dressing.
3. Add the apple, walnuts, blue cheese, and crumbled bacon to the serving bowl.
4. Place the dressing ingredients in a MagicBullet or blender and blend until the sugar is dissolved.
5. Stir the cranberries into the salad and toss with the dressing.
6. Cover and chill.

Amount Per Serving
Calories 265 Calories from Fat 132
Percent Total Calories From: Fat 50% Protein 6% Carb. 44%

Nutrient Amount per Serving
Total Fat 15 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Cholesterol 5 mg
Sodium 192 mg
Total Carbohydrate 29 g
Dietary Fiber 3 g
Sugars 10 g
Protein 4 g

Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 7% Calcium 0% Iron 4%