Guys, I’m FINALly on the other side of finals!!!!
As you can probably tell by my awful puns, finals have left me a little burned out. And by a little, I mean a lot.Â
Luckily, my epic trip to Trader Joe’s the morning after I got home kinda rejuvenated me. I got to pick up lovely things like fresh carrots and radishes that you just don’t really find in abundance at college.
I’ve only been home for two days so far, but they’ve been action-packed! The day after I got home, family came to visit, and yesterday I went to three dance shows and had a belated Mother’s Day celebration for my mom- I’ve been sleeping like a baby because I’m so exhausted!
Luckily, I’ve had lots of yummy and fresh food to snack on, and I’ve already embarked on some ambitious baking ventures!
This barley spinach salad is vegan and SO healthy. Freshly sliced carrots and radishes are quickly pickled in vinegar and lemon juice and are smothered in a delicious tahini dressing. I served this salad with some herb roasted tofu for added protein, but it would be delicious on its own as a main or as a side! Enjoy xx
- 2-3 cups fresh baby spinach
- ½ cup dry barley
- 1⅔ water
- 1 radish, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 tsp vinegar
- Juice of half a lemon
- 2 tsp tahini
- 1 tsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp flaxseed meal
- 1-2 tbsp water
- 3 tsp sea salt, divided
- Prepare your carrot and radish and combine them in a small bowl with vinegar, lemon, and 1 tsp salt. Mix well and set aside.
- Set water to boil with 1 tsp salt. Add barley and bring down to a simmer. Cover and cook until all the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Take barley off heat and set aside.
- Combine tahini, nutritional yeast, flaxseed meal, water, and last tsp of salt. Stir well until combined.
- Drain carrots and radishes of brine.
- To serve, combine spinach, pickled radishes and carrots, barley, and top with dressing.
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Congrats on finishing your finals and having some down time with family now. Enjoy it! I love shopping at Trader Joe’s! Lovely to see how healthy and fresh you eat. That is bound to help you in so many ways. : )
Thanks, Monica!
Yaaaaaay CONGRATS! I’m happy to hear finals are over and you get to take a breath of fresh air for a few months. Cheers to rest! Loving this beautiful healthful salad!
Thanks, Julia!
Welcome home! I miss the days of being able to crash after finals. Now I grade finals. That’s not so much fun. 🙂
This salad looks incredible!
Thanks, Mir! Good luck with all the grading 🙂
Hooray for finishing finals! I love this salad! Pickled radishes and carrots sound so scrumptious together!
Thank you!
Yay for the end of finals. I remember how relieved I used to be after the last one was done.
This salad looks delicious. I don’t think I’ve ever had pickled radishes before. I need to try that!
Thanks, Amanda 🙂
Trader Joes always makes my day a little better, esp after a day of finals! This dish sounds like the perfect thing to unwind to.
Right? Thanks!
Congrats on finishing your finals, Medha! I can imagine you feel so relieved. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than time with your mom + this delicious salad. I love the idea to serve it herb roasted tofu- YUM!
Seriously 🙂 Thanks!
Congrats and welcome home!! Such a beautiful salad to commemorate the beginning of summer!!
Thank you!
Yay for completing your finals and welcome home. I love simple and delicious salads. And TJs is always very therapeutic. Have a great summer 🙂
Thanks, Kiran!
Yay for finals finally being over!! And I love Trader Joes too so it would rejuvenate me too. This salad looks delicious and I’m loving the picked veggies. Yum!
Thanks 🙂
Congrats on being done with finals, Medha! You enjoy that sleep you’re getting — you deserve it. 🙂 This salad looks like the perfect way to rejuvenate after such a hectic, stressful time. I love barley and the pickled radishes and carrots sound delicious!
Thank you so much 🙂
Yay!! You finished the first year of college. Props girl! And I hope you enjoy the summer lol. This salad looks amazing!!
Thanks, I’m planning on it! 🙂
I love pickled radishes!! They are so simple but they add such a great flavor to everything you put them on! This salad looks like the perfect way to cleanse after all the ice cream I’ve been eating 🙂 Congrats on finishing up with finals!
Thanks, Izzy!
Congrats on finishing with finals! This salad looks awesome! Will try it soon!
Thank you 🙂
I think we’ll be having this for dinner tonight! It looks so delicious. I know my husband will love it!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Thanks, Luci!
Yay for finals being done!!! You must be so happy!!
This salad sounds delicious! I just bought a big bag of barley last week at the store – I think it’s a sign! 🙂
Definitely is! Thanks 🙂
such a beautiful looking salad Medha, love the colors!
Thank you!
I’m going through a barley stage at the moment! It is a nice change from quinoa. Loving the vibrancy here.
Thanks! I agree 🙂
Hooray Medha! Welcome home and congratulations on wrapping up another semester. Shew! Now, time for rest and recharging. This salad is a great way to do just that! It’s so vibrant and colorful. I sometimes forget about barley, but it is so nutty and filling. Thank you for sharing this nourishing recipe! 😀
Thanks, Traci! 🙂
Delicious! This salad looks so fresh and perfect for this time of year! Thanks for the recipe love! Also, congrats on finishing exams!! So exciting! Happy Friday!
xoxo Cailee!
Thank you! 🙂
I remember the struggle of eating in the dorms. It was so hard to find something that tasted good and was healthy. Glad you’re able to fill up on veggies now 😉
Seriously! Thanks 🙂
CONGRATS on finishing finals!! This meal looks like a perfect way to celebrate.
Thanks! 🙂
This will be a great salad for Summer!
Thanks 🙂
Congrats on finishing your finals, Medha! What a relief!
Now as for this salad…Um, YUM! Anything with pickles of a different sort has my name! Definitely making it!
LMK how it goes! 🙂