Summer Farro Salad

Marco Canora says you can swap in any starch—like bread or pasta—for the farro (a nutty Italian grain) in this recipe. A Lesson in Farro Canora simmers farro in water with sautéed onion, carrots and celery. The aromatic vegetables add delicate flavor to the cooked grains. Delicious, Quick Side Dishes

By Marco Canora 

Total Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, quartered
• 1 small carrot, halved
• 1 celery rib, halved
• 12 ounces farro (1 3/4 cups)
• 5 cups water
• Kosher salt
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• Freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small seedless cucumber, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
• 1-pint grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the yellow onion, carrot, and celery, cover, and cook over moderately low heat until barely softened, about 5 minutes. Add the farro and stir to coat with oil. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until the farro is barely tender, about 10 minutes; season with salt. Cover and simmer until the farro is al dente, about 10 minutes longer. Drain the farro and discard the onion, carrot, and celery. Let cool completely.
2. In a large bowl, whisk the remaining 1/3 cup of olive oil with the vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Fold in the farro, red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, and basil, season with salt and pepper, and serve.