Farro, Apple and Pecan Salad

Katzen's Note:

Cooked farro has a nutty flavor and slightly chewy texture, both of which are particularly delicious in salads like this one. Use your favorite variety of apple to make this late summer and early fall salad. Sliced pears are a perfect match, too. From Whole Foods. I've not tried this one yet.

• Total Time: 55 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 8.0

• 1 ½ cups cracked farro
• ¼ cup olive oil , divided
• ½ medium red onion , chopped
• 1 large apple , cored and chopped (gala or granny smith preferred)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• ¾ cup pecans , toasted and chopped
• salt , to taste
• pepper , to taste

Directions:

1. Soak farro in cold water for 20 minutes; drain well.
2. Bring 2 quarts salted water to a boil in a medium pot. Add farro and simmer, uncovered, until tender, 30 to 35 minutes. Drain well then rinse under cold water for 30 seconds. Drain again, then transfer to a large bowl, cover and refrigerate.
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add apples, stir well and cook until slightly softened, 2 to 3 minutes more.
4. Transfer apple mixture to bowl with farro. Add thyme, vinegar, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, pecans, salt and pepper and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

Reviews

[JanuaryBride]

Great combo of flavors. My Farro was cooked perfectly after only 15 minutes. . .first time using Farro and I love it. I added the pears (uncooked) at the end in addition to the apple and I highly recommend using both. I used sweet yellow onion in place of the red onion for a more mellow onion flavor. Next time I will leave out the oil and vinegar and serve it warm as a side dish which I am SURE would be 5 stars!!! My mind is racing with other versions of this recipe already! Thanks for posting! Made for Veg*n Swap Dec 2009.

[LifeIsGood]

Excellent!!! This is only the second time I've had farro and I think I'm in love. I loved everything about this version....the apples, pecans, thyme (I used dried), red onions and of course the farro. The combinations were perfect and flavorful. I loved the sauteed red onions but next time will leave my apples raw. My farro was tender and ready with about 15 minutes of cook time. Thank you for posting this Whole Foods recipe. Yum!

[smellyvegetarian]

Hello, farro! Where have you been all my life?!? This was my first foray into farro and it was truly fantastic! Like other reviewers, I chose to serve this room temp/warm instead of chilled and it was so very yummy and gobbled by all ages. I used one T of oil to saute the onions/apples, then completely forgot to add more and it still turned out fine. I also used walnuts instead of pecans, and slightly fewer since I was emptying a bag that needed to be finished. I would like to try the options other reviewers have mentioned (goat cheese, pears, etc.) but as written this is still a wonderful dish! Thank you so much for a recipe that left my 3 year old saying "mommy, I love farro!" :) Made for Veg Swap Sept 2011.