Roasted Fig Orange Farro Salad (Printable Version)
Farro with honey-roasted figs, orange segments, arugula, toasted walnuts and feta in a citrus-balsamic dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup uncooked farro
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Fruits
04 - 8 fresh figs, halved
05 - 2 large oranges, peeled and segmented
06 - 1 tablespoon honey
→ Vegetables & Greens
07 - 4 cups arugula or baby spinach
08 - 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
→ Nuts & Cheese
09 - 1/3 cup walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
10 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
→ Dressing
11 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
13 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
14 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
# How To Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Arrange fig halves cut side up on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with honey. Roast for 15–18 minutes until caramelized but still tender. Set aside to cool slightly.
03 - While the figs roast, bring 2 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in the farro, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25–30 minutes until tender. Drain excess water and let cool slightly.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, fresh orange juice, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and black pepper until well emulsified.
05 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked farro, arugula, orange segments, roasted figs, sliced red onion, and toasted walnuts. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently to coat evenly.
06 - Transfer the salad to a serving platter and top with crumbled feta cheese. Serve immediately or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The roasted figs turn jammy and sweet, making this salad feel like something you would order at a tiny café on a warm afternoon.
- Farro holds up beautifully even after sitting in dressing, so leftovers taste just as good the next day.
02 -
- Do not skip toasting the walnuts because the difference between raw and toasted is the difference between bland and unforgettable.
- Let the farro cool slightly before combining it with the greens, or the arugula will wilt into a sad mess.
03 -
- Segment the oranges over a bowl to catch every drop of juice and use that liquid in your dressing for zero waste.
- If you want the figs extra caramelized, flip the oven to broil for the last two minutes and watch them like a hawk so they char instead of burn.