Cucumber, Yogurt & Wheat Berry Soup

Preparation

1. Boil the wheat berries until tender and chewy, about 30 minutes if presoaked, or 50 minutes if not. Drain and set aside to cool.

2. Put the chopped cucumber into a strainer and sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 20 minutes to drain excess water.

3. Drop the spinach into a pot of boiling water, cook for 1 minute until bright green and wilted. Run under cold water and squeeze out excess water. Chop and set aside.

4. Chop the garlic with a generous pinch of salt, until it becomes a paste. Add the toasted cumin seeds and continue to chop. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the yogurt and 1 cup of water, until smooth. Stir in the wheat berries, cucumber, lemon juice, and mint.

5. Let chill for at least 2 hours and stir in the spinach right before eating.

Ann's Tips and Tricks

If you can’t easily find wheat berries, use either pearl couscous or barley as a substitute, cooked as per packet.

When it’s hot, and i’m looking for a no-cooking situation,  I just soak 1/2 cup farro, and pour boiling water from my tea kettle over the baby spinach to wilt it.