Farro Salad With Fennel Oranges Almonds (Print Version)

Nutty farro meets crisp fennel, juicy oranges, and toasted almonds in a zesty citrus dressing

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Grain

01 - 1 cup uncooked whole grain farro
02 - 3 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Produce

04 - 1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced with fronds reserved for garnish
05 - 2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
06 - 2 cups arugula or baby spinach
07 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

→ Nuts

08 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted

→ Dressing

09 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
11 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Rinse the farro under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine farro, water, and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes until farro is tender but still chewy. Drain any excess water and let cool.
02 - While the farro cooks, toast the sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cooled farro, sliced fennel, orange segments, arugula or spinach, and parsley.
04 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, orange juice, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Add toasted almonds and toss lightly. Garnish with reserved fennel fronds. Serve immediately or chilled.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The grain stays pleasantly chewy, never mushy, giving you something substantial to bite into.
  • It's deceptively simple yet tastes like you've been in the kitchen for hours, which feels like a small victory on busy days.
02 -
  • If you dress the salad too far ahead, the fennel releases water and the greens become limp; make this no more than 30 minutes before serving unless you're eating it chilled for lunch the next day.
  • The difference between raw almonds and toasted ones is the difference between cardboard and velvet—those few minutes in a hot pan are non-negotiable.
03 -
  • Make the dressing while the farro cooks so you're not standing around at the end wishing you'd planned better.
  • If you're eating this the next day, store the almonds separately and scatter them on just before serving so they stay crisp instead of softening from the salad's moisture.
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