Mediterranean Farro Salad (Print Version)
Nutty farro mixed with fresh cucumber, tomatoes, olives, feta, and a lemon-herb vinaigrette.
# What You Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup uncooked farro
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Vegetables & Herbs
04 - 1 large cucumber, diced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
07 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
→ Cheese
10 - 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
→ Dressing
11 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
17 - Salt, to taste
# Directions:
01 - Rinse farro under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine farro, water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 20-25 minutes until tender but still chewy. Drain any excess water and let cool slightly.
02 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked farro, diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, parsley, and mint.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, black pepper, and a pinch of salt until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine.
05 - Fold in the crumbled feta cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
06 - Serve chilled or at room temperature. Garnish with extra parsley and feta if desired.
# Insider Tips:
01 -
- Farro keeps its satisfying chew even after sitting in the dressing all day
- The combination of cool cucumber and briny feta just works
02 -
- Cooked farro absorbs dressing like a sponge, so add a splash more olive oil if serving leftovers the next day
- The salad actually improves after sitting for an hour, giving flavors time to meld
03 -
- Rinse cooked farro under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly
- Let the salad sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to fully develop