Farro Salad With Sweet Potatoes Kale Dried Cranberries Pistachios Food

CALIFORNIA ROASTED SWEET POTATO KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Add cubed sweet potatoes onto the pan and drizzle with olive oil; toss well to coat the sweet potatoes in oil. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until tender, flipping halfway through.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing: tahini, garlic powder, fresh lemon juice, pure maple syrup, dijon mustard, salt, pepper and water. I like to start with 2 tablespoons of water, but you may need 3 total tablespoons to achieve a creamy dressing that is easily pourable. You'll want to be able to coat all of the kale nicely so a thinner dressing is better. Set dressing aside.
• Add the finely chopped kale to a large bowl and pour the dressing over. Use a tongs to coat the kale with the dressing; you REALLY want to get it mixed well so toss together for a few minutes to help breakdown the kale. Allow the dressing to sit with the kale for 15 minutes or longer to help the kale marinate with the dressing. Add in your roasted sweet potato cubes, cranberries, avocado and wasabi peas or roasted chickpeas. Give the salad a gentle toss to combine.
• Finally make your sweet and spicy pistachios: place pistachio in a skillet over medium heat. Toast nutes for 4-6 minutes, stirring frequently until they turn just slightly golden then turn off heat and immediately add in maple syrup, cayenne pepper and sea salt. Stir for 15 more seconds to coat pistachios, then transfer to a piece of parchment paper to cool for a few minutes. Pistachios may stick together so try to spread them in an even layer when they are cooling. Slightly chop once they're a little cool and place them on the salad. Enjoy! Salad keeps well for 3-4 days. Serves 4-6

FARRO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil over high heat. Add green beans and snap peas, and cook for 1 minute. Fish out the beans with a spider, mesh strainer or slotted spoon. Rinse briefly in cool water, then blot on a kitchen towel and set aside.
• Add farro to the pot, and cook until al dente, 15 to 20 minutes, then drain and spread out on a baking sheet or platter to cool.
• As the farro cooks, make the vinaigrette: Put shallots in a small bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, lemon juice and zest, and leave for 5 minutes, then whisk in olive oil.
• Season the farro lightly with salt and pepper. Drizzle with half the vinaigrette, toss and mound.
• Slice the asparagus in very thin, lengthwise ribbons with a thin-bladed knife or mandolin and place in a medium-size bowl. Add cooked green beans, snap peas and thick slices of avocado. Salt lightly, add remaining vinaigrette and toss gently to coat.
• Arrange dressed vegetables over farro, garnish with basil leaves and serve.

FARRO AND KALE SALAD

Steps:

• Put the walnuts in a small, heavy-bottomed skillet over low heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until lightly toasted and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool completely on a small baking sheet.
• Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the shallot and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon, until the shallots have softened and are fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add the farro and toast in the olive oil, stirring often, for about 4 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and stir in 2 cups water, the oregano and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the farro is cooked through and tender, about 25 minutes. Remove the oregano sprigs, drain the farro, and set aside.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, orange juice, remaining 1/3 cup olive oil and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the warm farro and toss to coat. Add the kale, cherries, cucumber and walnuts and toss to combine. Crumble in the goat cheese, toss gently just to mix and serve.

CHARLIE BIRD'S FARRO SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, bring farro, apple cider, salt, bay leaves and 2 cups water to a simmer. Simmer until farro is tender and liquid evaporates, about 30 minutes. If all the liquid evaporates before the farro is done, add a little more water. Let farro cool, then discard bay leaves.
• In a salad bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Add farro, cheese and pistachio nuts and mix well. This salad base will keep for up to 4 hours at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator (bring to room temperature before serving). Just before serving, fold in arugula, herbs, tomatoes, radish and flaky salt to taste.