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Healthy Summer Grain Salad

A vibrant, make-ahead grain salad with perfectly cooked farro, crunchy vegetables, and a bright lemon-herb dressing that stays crisp for days.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Salad
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup farro semi-pearled, rinsed
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
  • 1 large cucumber seeded and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 small red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice from about 1 lemon
  • 1 small clove garlic minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese optional
  • 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts optional

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • fine-mesh strainer
  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • large mixing bowl
  • small bowl or jar for dressing

Method
 

  1. Cook the farro: In a medium saucepan, combine rinsed farro, 3 cups water, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until tender but still chewy, about 25-30 minutes. Drain any excess water through a fine-mesh strainer. Spread farro on a large baking sheet to cool completely, about 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork once cool.
  2. Meanwhile, prep vegetables: Seed the cucumber by halving lengthwise and running a small spoon down the center to remove the seeds. Dice into 1/2-inch pieces. Halve cherry tomatoes. Thinly slice red onion. Chop parsley and mint.
  3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper.
  4. Assemble salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled farro, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and mint. Pour dressing over and toss gently to combine.
  5. If using, add feta and pine nuts just before serving to keep them from softening. Taste and add more salt or lemon if needed.
  6. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Salad keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Notes

Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight. For best texture, add feta and nuts only to the portion you are serving. Substitutions: Swap farro with cooked quinoa, brown rice, or pearl barley. For a gluten-free version, use quinoa. For a vegan salad, omit the feta or use a plant-based alternative. Allergens: This recipe contains dairy (feta) and tree nuts (pine nuts) if included. Omit both for an allergen-friendly version. For any specific dietary needs, please consult a qualified professional.