Roasted Cherry Thyme Citrus Farro (Printable Version)
Vibrant mix of roasted cherries, citrus, and nutty farro finished with thyme and pistachios.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup farro
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Roasted Cherries
04 - 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
07 - Pinch of salt and black pepper
→ Citrus & Salad Base
08 - 1 orange, zested and segmented
09 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
10 - 1/4 cup chopped toasted pistachios
11 - 2 cups baby arugula or spinach
12 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Dressing
13 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
14 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
15 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
16 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
17 - 1 teaspoon orange zest
18 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss pitted cherries with olive oil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Spread on a lined baking sheet and roast for 15–20 minutes until soft and caramelized.
02 - Rinse farro under cold water. Combine farro, water, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes until tender. Drain excess water.
03 - Whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, orange zest, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
04 - Combine cooked farro, roasted cherries, orange segments, arugula, red onion, and half the pistachios in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently.
05 - Transfer salad to a serving platter. Top with crumbled feta and remaining pistachios. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of warm roasted cherries and cool citrus is a flavor explosion you did not know you needed.
- It holds up beautifully for lunch the next day making it perfect for meal prep without the soggy texture.
02 -
- Do not rush the roasting process for the cherries as that caramelization is where the deep flavor lives.
- Toast your pistachios in a dry pan for a few minutes to extract their natural oils before adding them.
03 -
- Pit your cherries using a paperclip or a chopstick if you do not have a cherry pitter to keep them whole.
- Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad to ensure the acidity balances the sweetness of the cherries.