Are you looking for a unique and flavorful way to show off in the kitchen? Make Ina Garten’s Farro Salad, which has an unforgettable combination of textures and savory flavors. This popular dish offers essential nutrients and packs quite a flavor punch! A variety of Farro, feta cheese, roasted red peppers, arugula, and spinach creates an enticing blend of textures and flavors. Plus, it takes just minutes to pull together – making it the perfect go-to lunch or dinner entrée on busy weeknights when time is limited! Enjoy this sumptuous salad that will have all your friends raving.
What is Farro?
Farro, an ancient Mediterranean grain, is not only delicious, but it’s also nutritious! With high fiber, carbs, and protein levels, it’s an excellent addition to any meal. Cook it until soft, then mix it with fresh veggies and olive oil to create a healthy and tasty dish. Or add it to salads, soups, and other recipes for a nutritious kick!
Ina Garten’s Farro Salad
Get ready to taste the basic Farro Salad, a heavenly blend of tender cooked Farro, fresh cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, crunchy radishes, parsley, and mint leaves. When you think it can’t get any better, the tangy dressing elevates the dish to a new level. Add pistachios, walnuts, or almonds for added crunch. For more freshness, feel free to add your favorite vegetables or greens. To prepare this delightful dish, boil Farro in water for approximately 30 minutes, then mix the veggies, pistachios, or nuts with Parmesan cheese. Want to make it creamy? Add a little mayo or garlic sauce. Farro Salad Nutrition Facts
Here’s the breakdown per 100g:
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 3.8g (including 0.5g of saturated)
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 266mg
- Carbs: 19g (including 4.2g of fiber and 2g of sugar)
- Protein: 4.5g
Ina Garten Farro Salad Recipe
Ina Garten’s Farro Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup pearled Farro (6 oz)
- 1 cup fresh apple cider
- 2 bay leaves
- Kosher salt, to taste
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ 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
- ⅓ cup thinly sliced radishes
- 2 cups baby arugula
- ½ cup shaved Italian Parmesan cheese
- Flaked sea salt, to taste
How to Make Ina Garten’s Farro Salad
Get ready for a showstopper – here’s how to make a delicious farro salad:
- Combine Farro, apple cider, bay leaves, two teaspoon salt, and 2 cups of water in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Cook uncovered for 30 minutes (or until the Farro is tender). Add more water if required.
- When tender, drain the Farro and discard the bay leaves.
- Whisk olive oil with lemon juice, one teaspoon of salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Add the vinaigrette to the warm Farro in a large serving bowl and stir until combined.
- Reserve the Farro aside for 15 minutes to cool.
- Add pistachios, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and radishes to the Farro.
- Gently add arugula and Parmesan, and fold them in. Season with sea salt and serve immediately.
How to Store Farro Salad
Looking to preserve the freshness of your farro salad? These steps will prove your salad game and ensure the perfect crunch every time:
- Give your salad enough time to cool down before storing it. This helps prevent your salad from getting watery and losing its texture.
- Store your salad in an airtight container, keeping its flavor intact while protecting it from absorbing unwanted fridge odors.
- Put the container in the refrigerator as soon as possible and keep it at a consistent temperature to slow down bacterial growth.
- Savor your salad within three days, maximum. While still safe, it may lose its freshness after this.
- To maintain the crunchiness of ingredients that get soggy, consider storing them separately and mixing them before serving.
- Toss your salad gently before you serve it, spreading the flavors evenly and revitalizing its texture.
Tips and Tricks For Making Ina Garten Farro Salad
- Make sure to skim the flavor of your toasted pistachios. Heat them in a frying pan or oven for 5 to 10 minutes. Deliciously decadent and nutty!
- Avoid tossing your vinaigrette onto warm cooked Farro, which will soak it up. Wait until it’s cooled a bit.
- To bring a zing to your salad, cook your Farro in apple cider with bay leaves and salt. Choosing plain water will bring out a different satisfying taste.
- All oils aren’t created equal, so spend wisely for your dressing. Since the ingredients are so simple, investing in quality oil will be worth it.
- Take your Farro salad to the next level using different veggies and herbs, making it suitable for any season. Try roasted butternut squash for a warm winter feel, or change it based on what’s available.
Ina Garten Farro Salad Variations
- This Charlie Bird’s Farro salad recipe can easily be adapted to suit your tastes! For example, if you want to create a dish with a sweeter vibe, try adding some raisins, dried cranberries, or cherries.
- You can also substitute the pistachios for another nut of your choice. Think pecans, almonds, or walnuts – remember to toast them first to get a less bitter and richer taste.
- For those of you who are meat-eaters, add some extra protein. You can mix in some shredded cooked chicken or perhaps even some prawns.
- Making this salad can also be an opportunity to eliminate vegetables lurking in your fridge and need eating up! For instance, add some diced bell peppers, zucchini, corn, or roasted chickpeas – you’ll get extra flavor and more textures in your warm farro salad.
- The roughly chopped fresh mint leaves and parsley can also be swapped for other herbs. Look at what’s in season or available at your grocery store – dill, oregano, or thyme are all good substitutes.
- Finally, for a Greek or Mediterranean feel to your Charlie Bird’s farro salad, add some tangy olives and/or change the Parmesan for some salty feta.
What To Serve With Ina Garten Farro Salad
Try it with steak, lamb chops, or some delicious grilled fish for a special dinner. Pair it with a vegan or veggie lasagna if you want vegetarian options. And for an easy yet tasty meal, crusty, toasted bread can’t go wrong.
FAQs of ina garten farro salad
Who is Charlie Bird Farro Salad?
Charlie Bird Farro Salad is a dish created by Ina Garten, the host of the popular Food Network show “Barefoot Contessa.” The salad includes Farro, roasted butternut squash, kale, and cranberries. It is then topped off with feta cheese and a light dressing.
What is Farro salad made of?
The Farro salad created by Ina Garten is made with Farro, roasted butternut squash, kale, cranberries, feta cheese, and a light dressing.
How do you eat, Farro?
Farro is a versatile grain that can be used in savory and sweet dishes. Enjoy Farro, it can be cooked the same way as rice. It can also be added to salads, soups, or stews for extra texture and flavor. Farro can also be substituted for oats in oatmeal or other breakfast dishes.
Conclusion: ina garten farro salad
Ina Garten’s Farro salad is a delicious and nutritious dish that is easy to make. It has a mix of flavors and textures, making it the perfect meal or side dish. Farro can also be used in many different ways, either as a savory or sweet dish. So if you’re looking for something new, Ina Garten’s Farro Salad is worth a try!
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I'm Osbert Presley – an enthusiastic chef passionate about culinary exploration. Since childhood, cooking has brought me immense delight, and it's been my mission to share the joys of food and drinks with everyone around me.
