Farro and Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
My sister is in town for a couple weeks and I thought rather than going out to eat or to my moms I’d have everyone over. I consulted my daughter to see what she wanted me to prepare. She loves my Balsamic Maple Glazed Salmon and then decided to go on Pinterest to find something else. She came across a Farro & Arugula Salad that sounded sensational, so I agreed to make that as well with just a few minor changes. With a few additional items on the menu, our meal was light, refreshing and healthy – everyone loved it!
If you’re not familiar with Farro it’s the Italian name for emmer wheat, an ancient strain of hard wheat from the Fertile Crescent in western Asia. Often confused with spelt due to their similar taste and texture, farro comes in perlato (pearled – takes less time to cook (20-25 minutes)) and semi-perlato (semi-pearled – longer cooking time (60-65 minutes plus overnight soaking)); the semi-perlato has more fiber- and nutrient-rich bran intact. Farro comes in three grades: long, medium or cracked.
Farro has a roasted, nutty flavor, and distinctive chewy texture. Its tough husk makes it more difficult to process than other commercially produced grains, but that husk also helps protect the grain’s vital nutrients. With a higher fiber and protein content than common wheat, farro is also especially rich in magnesium and B vitamins.
This salad was a HUGE hit and is sure to become a regular dish served in our home. It’s perfect as is, or with the addition of grilled chicken to make it an entree. Plus it’s the perfect dish to serve if entertaining.
We had leftovers last night, so I added smoked chicken to the salad, and had it for lunch today – it was delish!
I hope you’ll try this – I’m sure you will love it!!!
A light, healthy salad perfect anytime of year! Salad: Dressing: Adapted from: Proud Italian Cook
Farro & Arugula Salad with Honey Lemon Dressing
Ingredients:
Directions:
Hi, I’m Vicki Bensinger! I have been teaching culinary classes throughout Missouri since 1992. I offer personalized private culinary classes for individuals and small groups in the comfort of your home or organization.
This is the sort of food I LOVE! so delicious, elegant and healthy!
Mary
I know I agree. In fact this was so good I made it again this evening and added chicken to it, so I could use up my arugula. It was still just as good and quick to prepare.
We’re loving salads at the moment, and this one is right up our alley. I rarely use faro for some reason. Maybe because it used to be rare at many stores? No excuse now, I see it everywhere. Thanks for this.
All the stores have it. I did make the mistake and grabbed the long soaking one at first and had to run back to get the other one. So make sure if you plan to have it the day you pick up the farro that you get the short cooking no soak variety – the pearled.
A very satisfying and tasty salad, Vicki.
It was. I hope you’ll try it.
A great salad to put together in the Summer for a light lunch!
ela h.
Definitely and quick to prep as well!
Your salad looks wonderful. I have never tried farro, but it sounds delicious.
It is, I ope you’ll try this.
I love farro and the dressing sounds delicious and so summery 🙂