Рецепт Spring Farro Salad with Asparagus and Shiitakes
Lately, I’ve been feeling a little stuck.
No matter how long I stare at the kitchen, I’m just not sure what to make. And no matter how long I stare at the blinking cursor on the screen, I’m just not sure what to write. I just don’t know why, but I’m just not feeling that same compulsive drive to create.
Perhaps it’s because the spring is taking longer than usual to settle in this year, leaving us in a limbo of not-quite-winter and not-quite-spring where we swing from snow boots to sandals almost overnight.
It’s no wonder I can’t decide what to eat… after all, it’s a wonder I can figure out what to wear most days!
Whatever the reason, though, I’ve decided a mental kick in the pants is in order. Because even if Mother Nature isn’t ready to move on just yet, I most certainly am.
This farro salad with asparagus and shiitakes feels like a good start. Farro, if you’re not familiar with it, is an Italian grain made from dried spelt berries, and it’s delightfully chewy and nutty and hearty.
It’s a dish that’s substantial enough to stand up to the occasional cold snap, but that’s still a step in the right direction – bright and full of fresh spring flavours.
Spring Farro Salad
Author: Isabelle Boucher (Crumb)
Recipe type: Salad
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Total time: 40 mins
Serves: 4
Make the most of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it local asparagus crop with this substantial salad made with chewy farro, tender-crisp asparagus and earthy shiitake mushrooms.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked semi-pearled farro
- 1 bunch (~1 lb) asparagus, cut into ½” pieces
- ¼ cup olive oil, divided
- 2 cups shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp grainy Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
- 1 shallot, minced
- 2 tbsp finely chopped parsley
Instructions
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the farro for 28 minutes, or until almost tender. Add the asparagus and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes longer, or until the farro is tender and the asparagus is bright green. Drain and run under cold water to cool off.
While the farro is cooking, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the shiitakes and sauté until soft and starting to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and continue cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute longer. Remove from heat and set aside.
In a large salad bowl, whisk together the remaining 3 tbsp olive oil with the vinegar, mustard. salt, pepper and shallot. Add the farro, asparagus and mushrooms, and toss until evenly coated with dressing. Add the parsley, and toss again until everything is combined.
Before serving, taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper, if needed. This salad is best when fresh, but leftovers will keep for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Notes
You can find farro (or spelt, as it’s sometimes labelled) in most gourmet specialty stores, as well as larger well-stocked bulk food stores.
If you can’t get your hands on any farro, though, you can use wheat berries or rye berries instead – just cook as per package directions, and add the asparagus in the last 2-3 minutes or cooking.
3.2.1275
About the author
Isabelle Boucher
I'm a 30-something coffee-chugging, booty-shaking, bargain-shopping, cookbook-collecting, photo-snapping, trucker-swearing, farmers-market-loving self-taught cook with a Mister and two cats to feed.
Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.