Mediterranean Salad With Spiced Walnuts Food

MEDITERRANEAN FARRO SALAD WITH ARUGULA AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• Cook the farro. Bring 3 cups of water, seasoned with kosher salt, to a boil. Add the farro and lower the heat to medium. Simmer for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on the kind of farro you are using. The farro will have absorbed the water but use a sieve to fully drain. If you like, spread the farro on a tray or sheet pan and pat dry with a paper towel.
• Make the dressing using this Greek salad dressing recipe.
• Toss the salad together. In a mixing bowl, combine the farro (still somewhat warm) with the arugula, tomatoes, onions, peppers, walnuts, and fresh herbs. Pour the salad dressing, then toss well. Taste and adjust seasoning. Finish with a sprinkle of feta cheese to your liking.

SEASONAL COUNTRY SALAD WITH SPICED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Make the spiced walnuts:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, spices, and salt. Toast the walnuts lightly on a sheet pan in the oven, for about 4-5 minutes. While the nuts are toasting, heat the spiced sugar in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. When the sugar just begins to melt around the edges, toss in the warm nuts, straight from the oven. Shake the pan vigorously over the burner until all the nuts are coated in sugar - it will cling in somewhat uneven patches, but that is the effect I like. Pour the nuts onto a plate or baking sheet to cool - don't be tempted to try one until they have really cooled down, since sugar at this temperature will give you a burned tongue to remember!
• Make your salad:
• Toss the salad greens with the spiced walnuts and the vinaigrette and top with a generous slice of ham and 1 ounce of cheese per person, according to the seasons (see Weighing Your Options).
• Weighing your options:
• Spring: Grilled Asparagus with Serrano Ham and Maytag Blue Cheese (to grill asparagus, blanch the asparagus to halfway tender, brush with a little olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and grill until lightly brown)
• Summer: Fresh Black Mission Figs with Smithfield Ham and Aged Goat Cheese
• Fall: Lightly Roasted Seckel Pears with Pecorino Romano and Prosciutto
• Winter: Blood Oranges and Fennel with Feta and Prosciutto

SPICED WALNUTS

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, heat honey, oil, and 1 tablespoon water over medium heat. Add walnuts; toss to coat.
• Sprinkle the sugar, salt, cumin, coriander, and cayenne over the nuts. Cook, tossing and stirring until the nuts are well coated and lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet to cool completely.