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Farro Salad with Shallots and Parsley

Farro is a delicious, nutty-tasting whole grain with a flavor like a cross between wheat berries and barley. It cooks quickly (almost as fast as rice) and can be served boiled, plain, or marinated in a salad; or it can be prepared in the same way as a risotto. I usually cook 1 1/2 cups of farro at a time. I serve half of it warm as a side dish and the other half the next day as a salad.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

6 cups salted water
3/4 cup farro
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
Salt
1 small shallot or 2 scallions, diced fine
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Fresh-ground black pepper

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring to a boil: 6 cups salted water.

    Step 2

    Add: 3/4 cup farro.

    Step 3

    Simmer for 20 to 25 minutes or until tender. Drain and transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with: 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, Salt.

    Step 4

    Stir and taste. Add more salt or vinegar if needed. Stir in: 1 small shallot or 2 scallions, diced fine, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, Fresh-ground black pepper.

    Step 5

    Serve at room temperature, or chilled.

  2. Variations

    Step 6

    Wheat berries and spelt can be cooked and served in the same manner. Wheat berries take longer to cook, sometimes up to 50 minutes. Start checking after 20 minutes.

    Step 7

    Cilantro or basil can be substituted for the parsley.

    Step 8

    Diced cucumbers or halved cherry tomatoes can be added in season.

    Step 9

    Sherry vinegar or lemon juice can substitute for part or all of the red wine vinegar.

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