A hearty and flavor-packed whole grain salad made with chewy spelt, crunchy apples and sharp cheddar cheese.

This Spelt Salad with Apples, Cheddar, and Scallions is a fun twist on tabbouleh salad, one of my favorite Middle Eastern side dishes. In a nod to my mom and her famous after school snack, I decided to throw in creamy, sharp cheddar cheese and sweet, crunchy apples. The protein from the cheese and fiber from the apples creates a nutritional powerhouse, any time of day.

For a nutty flavor and hearty texture, I swapped out the traditional bulgur wheat with spelt berries. If you’re not familiar with spelt, it’s an ancient grain that originated in the Near East over 8,000 years ago. I love using it because it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber.

Nutritional booster:

For another nutritional boost, I added cubes of sharp cheddar. Not only does the cheese add a rich, creamy note but it provides added calcium, protein and other vitamins. To pull it all together, the salad is tossed with a sharp and tangy garlic mustard vinaigrette that will have you wanting more after each bite.

How to serve:

Can be served warm or cold.

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