Tuscan Farro Salad

From Laura Di Lembo

2013 May/Jun

  • Britannia Plaza

I first met farro in a hearty peasant soup while travelling with my husband in Tuscany a few years ago. My husband is fluent in Italian and was able to converse with our gregarious inn-keepers in Lucca, who were as passionate about farro as we were. They gave us this much-loved recipe for a marinated farro salad that is traditional in the region. The olive oil in Lucca is like liquid gold, thick and luscious, with a pronounced sweet olive taste. Look for a similar Tuscan olive oil in your fave Italian store. Farro salad can be prepared and kept in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

Ingredients:

Salad:

  • 1 c. farro*
  • 1 c. corn kernels, fresh, frozen or canned
  • 2 c. ripe tomatoes, diced small
  • 1 c. diced cucumbers, preferably seedless
  • 1/4 c. finely diced Spanish or Vidalia onion
  • 1 c. bocconcini pearls*, drained well, or fresh mozzarella, cubed
  • 1 c. fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • 1 c. Italian flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Dressing:

  • 1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil, preferably a luscious oil from Tuscany
  • 1 T. red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 t. Dijon mustard
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Cook the farro in boiling salted water until it’s tender, about 1 hour. Drain well and lay it out on a clean kitchen towel to dry. Cook the fresh corn kernels in boiling salted water until they’re crisp-tender, about 3 minutes. Frozen corn should also be cooked briefly. Drain the corn well.

In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing.

In a large bowl, combine the farro with the other salad ingredients. Mix the salad well.
Add the dressing and toss. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.

*Farro and bocconcini pearls are available at Italian markets. Bocconcini pearls are also available at Costco and The Real Canadian Superstore.