Ina Garten Charlie Bird Salad

Another delicious recipe from the Barefoot Contessa cookbook is this Ina Garten Charlie Bird’s Farro Salad, Made with pearled farro, fresh apple cider, roasted pistachios, fresh parsley, fresh mint leaves, and cherry tomatoes, this salad takes about 45 minutes to prepare and assemble. Serve your Charlie Bird Salad with Baked Salmon, Grilled Halibut, or a hearty Beef Stew.

To prepare This Charlie Bird’s Farro Salad, Ina starts by Cooking the farro in a mixture of apple cider, bay leaves, and salt until tender. She then prepares a simple dressing of olive oil and lemon juice, which is mixed into the warm farro. Before serving, she adds a burst of color and flavor with pistachios, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and radishes. Finally, she folds in baby arugula and shavings of Parmesan cheese for a finishing touch.

Ina Garten Charlie Bird Salad Ingredients

• 1 cup pearled farro (6 ounces)
• 1 cup fresh apple cider
• 2 bay leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup good olive oil
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 cup roasted, salted pistachios (whole or chopped)
• 1 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup roughly chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes (halved through the stem)
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced radishes (2 to 3 radishes)
• 2 cups baby arugula
• 1/2 cup shaved Italian Parmesan cheese
• Flaked sea salt (such as Maldon)

How To Make Ina Garten Charlie Bird Salad

1. Cook the Farro: In a medium saucepan, combine the farro, apple cider, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 2 cups of water. Bring it to a boil, then simmer for about 30 minutes until the farro is tender. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Remove the bay leaves.
2. Prepare the Dressing: In a small cup, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
3. Mix with Farro: Stir the dressing into the warm farro and let it sit for at least 15 minutes to cool down.
4. Add Crunch and Flavor: Before serving, mix in the pistachios, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and radishes.
5. Final Touch: Add the arugula and gently fold in the Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle with flaked sea salt and serve immediately.

What To Serve With Charlie Bird Salad

This salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish for a light meal. If you’re looking for a vegetarian option, consider serving it alongside a hearty vegetable stew. The nutty flavors of the farro and the freshness of the herbs make it a versatile side dish.

How To Store Charlie Bird Salad

In The Fridge:

Place the leftover salad in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will meld together even more, making it a great option for meal prep.

In The Freezer:

Freezing is not recommended for this salad. The texture of the farro and the freshness of the herbs and vegetables will be compromised if frozen and then thawed.

Check out More Recipes From Ina Garten:

• Ina Garten Beef Bourguignon
• Barefoot Contessa Oyster Stew
• Ina Garten Lemon Chicken Piccata