Farro Summer Salad
In the midst of this summer heat, dive into the eclectic, refreshing and nutritious flavors with this Farro Summer Salad. It's great as a side dish, and pairs really well with any protein on the menu. Top it off with the zesty citrus vinagrette, celebrate all that summer has to offer, and enjoy more time with the family.
Ingredients
For the Citrus Vinagrette:
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup adjust to taste
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Farro Salad:
- 1 cup cooked farro cooled to room temp
- 1 cup zucchini grilled and diced
- 1 cup bell peppers any color, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup mandarin oranges diced (or your favorite fruit)
- 1/2 cup fresh herbs such as parsley, mint, and basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup goat cheese crumbled
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Start with Creating the Citrus Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice and honey (or maple syrup) until the sweetener is fully dissolved. Adjust the amount of sweetener based on your desired level of sweetness.
- Add the Dijon mustard to the mixture. The mustard will help emulsify the dressing and give it a creamy consistency.
- While whisking, slowly drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil to help create a well-blended dressing. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and the oil is fully incorporated.
- Season the vinaigrette with a pinch of salt and a sprinkle of black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Prep the Salad:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the farro, zucchini, bell peppers, red onion, and mandarin oranges.
- Add the chopped fresh herbs to the bowl. You can use a combination of parsley, mint, and basil for a bright and fragrant mix.
- Sprinkle the crumbled goat cheese and raisins over the salad. Season the salad with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Whisk the vinaigrette again to make sure all the ingredients are well combined and pour over the salad.
- Gently toss all the ingredients together until they are well combined and coated with the dressing. Let the salad sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to get happy together and enjoy!