Roasted Cherry Thyme Farro Salad (Printable Version)
Sweet roasted cherries and nutty farro tossed with fresh herbs and creamy goat cheese in a balsamic dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup farro (uncooked)
02 - 3 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 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad Components
08 - 2 cups arugula or baby spinach
09 - 1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
10 - 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
12 - 2 tablespoons thinly sliced red onion
→ Dressing
13 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
14 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
15 - 1 teaspoon honey
16 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
17 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Toss the cherries with 1 tablespoon olive oil, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Spread on a lined baking sheet and roast for 15–18 minutes, until soft and slightly caramelized. Let cool.
03 - While cherries roast, bring 3 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add farro, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes until tender but chewy. Drain and let cool slightly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooled farro with the arugula, roasted cherries, red onion, and parsley (if using). Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to combine.
06 - Top with crumbled goat cheese and toasted almonds. Serve immediately or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The roasted cherries become little jewels of sweet tart goodness that make every bite interesting
- Farro gives you that satisfying chewy texture that regular salads just cant match
02 -
- Letting the farro cool slightly before mixing prevents the arugula from wilting into sad greens
- The cherries should still hold their shape after roasting not turn into jam
03 -
- Use a mix of sweet and tart cherries if you can find them for more complex flavor
- Let the salad sit for 10 minutes after tossing so the farro absorbs some of the dressing