Imen Dridi Ina Garten’s Farro Salad is made with pearled farro, apple cider, olive oil, lemon juice, pistachios, parsley, mint, tomatoes, radishes, arugula, and Parmesan cheese. It serves 6 and takes about 45 minutes to prepare, offering a flavorful, nutritious dish perfect for any occasion.
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💚 Why You’ll Love This Farro Salad Recipe:
- Complex Flavors: The combination of nutty farro, sweet apple cider, tangy lemon juice, and the richness of olive oil creates a balanced and complex flavor profile.
- Refreshing and Satisfying: This salad strikes a perfect balance between being light and refreshing while also being satisfyingly hearty. It’s an ideal choice for a healthy lunch that won’t leave you feeling weighed down.
- Visually Appealing: With its vibrant greens, reds, and the golden hue of farro, this salad is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. It makes an attractive addition to any table setting.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: This salad can be prepared in advance, making it perfect for meal prep, picnics, or gatherings. The flavors meld and improve over time, making it even more delicious the next day.
- Easy to Make: Despite its sophisticated flavor profile, this salad is straightforward to prepare. It requires minimal cooking skills, making it accessible to cooks of all levels.
❓ What Is Ina Garten Farro Salad Recipe?
Ina Garten’s Farro Salad recipe combines cooked pearled farro with fresh apple cider, olive oil, lemon juice, pistachios, parsley, mint, cherry tomatoes, radishes, baby arugula, and shaved Parmesan, seasoned with kosher salt, black pepper, and flaked sea salt, offering a refreshing and nutritious dish.
🍅 Ina Garten Farro 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 Farro Salad
- In a medium pot, combine the farro, apple cider, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 2 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer without cover for 30 minutes, or until the farro is soft. (If the farro absorbs all the water before it’s soft, add a little more.) After draining the farro, put it in a big bowl to serve. Throw away the bay leaves.
- Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a small measuring cup while you wait. Add the dressing to the warm farro and mix it in. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to cool down.
- Add the walnuts, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and radishes and mix them in before serving.
- Add the greens and the Parmesan. Be careful not to break it up too much as you fold it in. Add the sea salt on top, and serve right away.
💭 Recipe Tips:
- Toast the Farro: For an added nutty flavor, lightly toast the farro in a dry pan for a few minutes until fragrant before boiling it. This enhances the grain’s inherent nuttiness.
- Let Farro Cool with Dressing: Allowing the warm farro to sit with the dressing not only helps it cool but also ensures it absorbs the flavors more deeply, leading to a more flavorful salad.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste as you go, especially after adding the dressing and again before serving. The flavors should be balanced between the tangy lemon, the richness of the olive oil, and the seasoning.
- Chop Herbs Just Before Using: To maintain their bright color and fresh flavor, chop the parsley and mint right before adding them to the salad.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to add other ingredients like diced cucumber, avocado, or different nuts like almonds for extra crunch and flavor variations.
🍗 What To Serve Farro Salad?
Serve Farro Salad with grilled chicken, fish, or steak for a protein-rich meal it pairs well with roasted vegetables, crusty bread, or as part of a buffet spread with other salads and cold dishes for a light, nutritious option.
🎚 How To Store Leftovers Farro Salad?
- Refrigerate: Place the leftover Farro Salad in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator it will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for Farro Salad, as the texture of the fresh ingredients and the dressing may be adversely affected upon thawing. Stick to refrigeration for best results.
🚫 Can I Reheat Leftovers Farro Salad?
Reheating Farro Salad is not recommended, as it contains fresh ingredients like herbs, tomatoes, and arugula, which can wilt or become mushy with heat. It’s best enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
FAQ’S
Can Farro Salad be made in advance?
Yes, Farro Salad can be made in advance in fact, letting it sit for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator can enhance the flavors as the farro absorbs the dressing and spices.
Is Farro Salad healthy?
Farro Salad is considered healthy due to its high fiber content, protein from the farro, and the variety of nutrients from the fresh vegetables and nuts. Using olive oil and lemon juice as a dressing adds healthy fats and vitamin C, making it a balanced and nutritious option.
What are the best ways to cook farro for a salad?
For salads, cooking farro until it’s tender but still has a slight chewiness provides the best texture. Simmering it in water or broth with a pinch of salt, then draining any excess liquid, works well.
How can I make Farro Salad more flavorful?
To make Farro Salad more flavorful, consider toasting the farro before cooking it to bring out a nutty flavor. Use a quality olive oil and fresh lemon juice for the dressing, and don’t be shy with fresh herbs.
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Ina Garten Farro Salad Nutrition Fact
Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 543
- Total Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30g
- Cholesterol: 11mg
- Sodium: 542mg
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 17g
- Protein: 12g
Ina Garten Farro Salad
Description
Ina Garten’s Farro Salad is made with pearled farro, apple cider, olive oil, lemon juice, pistachios, parsley, mint, tomatoes, radishes, arugula, and Parmesan cheese. It serves 6 and takes about 45 minutes to prepare, offering a flavorful, nutritious dish perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a medium pot, combine the farro, apple cider, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 2 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer without cover for 30 minutes, or until the farro is soft. (If the farro absorbs all the water before it’s soft, add a little more.) After draining the farro, put it in a big bowl to serve. Throw away the bay leaves.
- Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper in a small measuring cup while you wait. Add the dressing to the warm farro and mix it in. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes to cool down.
- Add the walnuts, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and radishes and mix them in before serving.
- Add the greens and the Parmesan. Be careful not to break it up too much as you fold it in. Add the sea salt on top, and serve right away.
Notes
- Toast the Farro: For an added nutty flavor, lightly toast the farro in a dry pan for a few minutes until fragrant before boiling it. This enhances the grain’s inherent nuttiness.
- Let Farro Cool with Dressing: Allowing the warm farro to sit with the dressing not only helps it cool but also ensures it absorbs the flavors more deeply, leading to a more flavorful salad.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste as you go, especially after adding the dressing and again before serving. The flavors should be balanced between the tangy lemon, the richness of the olive oil, and the seasoning.
- Chop Herbs Just Before Using: To maintain their bright color and fresh flavor, chop the parsley and mint right before adding them to the salad.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: Feel free to add other ingredients like diced cucumber, avocado, or different nuts like almonds for extra crunch and flavor variations.
