Food

Greek Farro Salad

December 6, 20220

I occasionally have unmade recipe ideas on my list for months. This Greek farro salad is an example of how a recipe can appear out of thin air in response to a craving. It has strong Mediterranean flavors like lemon, herbs, chickpeas, roasted red peppers, and feta. Arugula and warm, chewy whole grains are also generously used in this dish. Just give me a fork, please!

ingredients

The best part? This salad keeps well for two to three days in the fridge, which is always welcome, but especially right now. The seasons are changing here in Kansas City and it’s just too nice outside to stay inside and cook. Let’s soak up all the seventy-degree days we can get!

To that end, I’m keeping this post short and sweet. Do let me know how you like this salad—please comment below and post a photo to Instagram with the hashtag #cookieandkate! I always want to hear/see how my recipes turn out for you.

roasted red pepper, olives and cucumber

farro salad dressing

Also read: Crisp Apple & Kohlrabi Salad

INGREDIENTS

Salad

  • 1 cup dried farro, rinsed
  • 5 cups lightly packed arugula (if it’s not baby arugula, you might want to give it a few chops to break it into smaller pieces)
  • 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas)
  • 1 large cucumber (about ¾ pound), seeded and chopped (to yield about 1 ½ cups chopped cucumber)
  • 1 cup chopped roasted red bell pepper, homemade or jarred
  • 20 kalamata olives, sliced into thin rounds (about ½ cup)
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • ½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Dressing

  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. To cook the farro: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed farro with at least three cups water (enough water to cover the farro by a couple of inches). Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the farro is tender to the bite but still pleasantly chewy (pearled farro will take around 15 minutes; unprocessed farro will take 25 to 40 minutes). Drain off the excess water and return the farro to the pot. Stir in ¼ teaspoon salt and a little splash of the dressing. Set aside for just a few minutes to cool.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large serving bowl, combine the arugula, chickpeas, cucumber, peppers, olives and parsley.
  3. In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes and pepper until emulsified.
  4. Add the warm farro to the serving bowl and drizzle in the remaining dressing. Toss to combine. Add the feta, toss again, and season to taste with additional salt and pepper.