Farro Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Arugula and Goat Cheese
In short: Chewy farro with jammy oven-roasted cherry tomatoes, peppery arugula and creamy chèvre in a balsamic lemon dressing. Good warm or cold. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 40 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 385 kcal
Farro is a chewy, nutty wheat grain that takes up dressing well, so it suits salads that sit in a lunch box. Here it is tossed with oven-roasted cherry tomatoes, which burst and caramelize into a jammy sauce, plus peppery arugula and creamy goat cheese. The tomato juices from the roasting tray go straight into the salad, so nothing is wasted. Serve it warm or cold.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Toss the cherry tomatoes on a baking tray with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the sliced garlic, oregano and 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes, shaking the tray once, until the tomatoes burst and their edges are browned.
- Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water with 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Add the farro and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender with a slight chew. Drain well and leave it to steam dry in the colander for 5 minutes.
- Whisk the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil with the balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper in a large bowl.
- Add the warm farro to the dressing and toss. Scrape the roasted tomatoes and all their juices over the farro and fold gently.
- Fold in the arugula so it just wilts, then transfer to a serving dish. Top with the crumbled chèvre and torn basil.
Tips
- Farro labelled pearled or semi-pearled cooks in about 25 minutes. Whole farro needs soaking overnight and 40 to 50 minutes of cooking.
- Barley, spelt or brown rice can replace the farro, and feta works if you prefer it to goat cheese.
Questions and answers
What is farro?
Farro is an ancient wheat grain with a nutty taste and chewy texture. It is sold whole, semi-pearled or pearled, and cooks faster the more it is polished.
Can I make farro salad ahead of time?
Yes. It keeps for 3 days in the fridge. Add the arugula and cheese on the day you serve it and let it come to room temperature.
Is farro gluten-free?
No. Farro is a type of wheat, so it contains gluten. For a gluten-free salad, use quinoa or brown rice instead.
How long does it take to make Farro Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Arugula and Goat Cheese?
About 55 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 40 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Farro Salad with Roasted Tomatoes, Arugula and Goat Cheese?
About 385 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 41 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 385 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 41 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 510 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
