Job's Tears-Heirloom, Versatile and Whole Grain

Though they look like teardrops, these chewy grains leave us nothing to cry about.  They're gluten free, full of antioxidants and high in fiber.  Though they resemble a bean or groat, Job's Tears take only about 45 minutes to cook on stove top.  Drain and add to soups, salads or main dishes.

Still hard to find, I was thrilled to find these in a capital city international store.  I'm planning to include these in a layered mason jar salad, to familiarize my students to the grain and to enjoy the taste of the kind of sweet grain.

Jobs Tears Layered Salad

(6-1 cup Servings)

Dressing

3 tablespoon olive oil

3 tablespoon orange juice

1 ½ teaspoon reduced sodium soy sauce

1 teaspoon maple syrup

1 teaspoon grated ginger

½ teaspoon lemon zest

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Salad Ingredients

1 cup 2 tablespoon cooked black beans

9 tablespoon sweet peppers, diced

9 tablespoon corn, cooked

1 cup 2 tablespoon cooked Jobs Tears

6 tablespoon radishes, sliced

6 tablespoon green onion, diced

6 tablespoon sliced grape tomatoes

6 tablespoon pepitas

2 ounce microgreens or arugula

To assemble:

Shake or blend dressing.  Place 1 tablespoon in bottom of each 1 cup mason jar.  Add all ingredients in layers:

3 tablespoon black beans

1 ½ tablespoon peppers

1 ½ tablespoon corn

3 tablespoon Jobs Tears

1 tablespoon radishes

1 tablespoon green onion

1 tablespoon tomato

1 tablespoon pepita

Garnish top with touch of microgreens.  Cover with lid.  Turn jar over and shake to eat.