Charlie Bird's Farro Salad

This salad was the best thing on the buffet table at a house concert I went to in Richmond this summer. It’s an Ina Garten recipe, so you know it’s delicious. Serves 6.

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 

 PROCEDURE

  1. Place the farro, apple cider, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons salt, and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan, bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for about 30 minutes, until the farro is tender. (If all the liquid is absorbed before the farro is tender, add a little more water.) Drain the farro and transfer to a large serving bowl. Discard the bay leaves.

  2. Meanwhile, in a small measuring cup, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Stir the vinaigrette into the warm farro and set aside for at least 15 minutes to cool.

  3. Before serving, stir in the pistachios, parsley, mint, tomatoes, and radishes. Add the arugula and lightly fold in the Parmesan so as not to break it up too much. Sprinkle with the sea salt and serve immediately.

RecipesSusan JohnsonComment