Farro, Arugula Salad with Lemon and Herbs
It's ALL about the fresh herbs in this salad. The lemon makes it so vibrant and the farro so chewy and interesting. I'm obsessed. If you're not watching your fat, make the real NY Times version here. It's so olive oily and amazing! But this lightened up version is still a total winner.
Servings: 1
Calories: 401kcal
Ingredients
- 1/2 Tbs Olive Oil
- 1 Tbs fresh lemon juice
- Apple Cider farro 100 g cooked (see recipe below*)
- Grated parmesan 7 g
- 1 Tbs shelled pistachios
- Arugula 50-75 g
- 1 tbs fresh chopped parsley
- 2-3 tbs fresh chopped basil
- 2-3 tbs fresh chopped mint
- Handful of halved cherry or grape tomatoes 40 g
- A few thinly sliced radishes 15 g
- Grilled Chicken Breast 100 g Any will do, like my basic weekly grilled chicken.
- Flakey salt for finishing
For the farro:
- 1 cup farro I buy mine at Trader Joes... but you should find it with the grains at most stores
- 1/2 cup apple cider
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 2.5 cups water or you can sub in some chicken stock for more savory flavor.
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring farro, apple cider, salt, bay leaves and 2.5 cups water to a simmer. Simmer until farro is tender and liquid evaporates, about 30 minutes. If all the liquid evaporates before the farro is done, add a little more water. If farro seems tender and there's too much liquid, just drain like pasta. Let it cool, then discard bay leaves.
- In a salad bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Add 100 grams of the cooked farro, cheese and pistachio nuts and mix well. You can do this part ahead of time. Just before serving, fold in arugula, herbs, tomatoes, radish and flaky salt to taste. Add more fresh squeezed lemon if you need more dressing. And more olive oil if you've got room for more fat!
Notes
- The original calls for a lot more olive oil, and a much greater ratio of farro to greens. If you've got the room check out Charlie Bird's Farro Salad.
- Feel free to make your farro just as the package directs, to simplify. But the added flavor from the apple cider, salt and bay leaves is worth it in my opinion!
- The amounts above for all of the ingredients besides the farro are for your salad for one. You'll have leftovers of farro for repeat salads throughout the week! Or to share if you're into that. And if you've got plenty of carbs, add more to your salad. The original is more of a farro salad with a bunch of herbs and some greens added in... amazing.
Nutrition
Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 36.3g | Protein: 32.4g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1.3g