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Charlie Bird’s Farro Salad from Cook Like a Pro

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 cup pearled farro 6 ounces
  • 1 cup fresh apple cider*
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ cup good olive oil
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 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
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced radishes 2 to 3 radishes
  • 2 cups baby arugula
  • ½ cup shaved Italian Parmesan cheese
  • Flaked sea salt such as Maldon

Instructions

  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 ½ 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.

Recipe Notes

*one time I made it I was out of apple cider (remember this is apple cider NOT apple cider vinegar) and I used broth but added a sprinkle of apple cider spices (cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg) and it turned out great.

** I would cut this down to 1 teaspoon salt. I think it was a little salt heavy when I made it the first time so each time after I’ve made this modification.

*** If you’re prepping this for the week, stop here and add arugula and cheese before serving so as not to wilt the lettuce.

One thing that makes this dish so amazing is the very simple lemon and olive oil vinaigrette that is mixed with the flavorful farro. It tastes amazing!!